PA High School Baseball: North Penn celebrates district final win
The North Penn players hurry onto the Villanova Ballpark field to celebrate the 7-1 win over West Chester Henderson for district title
Seven Bucks County area teams have qualified for the PIAA state baseball playoffs.
District One champion North Penn, fourth-place finisher Neshaminy and fifth-placer Pennsbury in Class 6A, 5A third-place finisher Hatboro-Horsham, plus District One champions Faith Christian (2A), Dock Mennonite (Class A) and District 12 runner-up Archbishop Wood (Class 4A), are all in the hunt for a state title.
Bristol is facing Notre Dame-Green Pond on Friday in the 3A regional final for a spot at states vs. District 12 runner-up Philadelphia Academy.
Here are the first-round matchups, as well as previews involving Bucks County area schools:
PIAA State Playoffs
(all games at 4 p.m. unless noted otherwise)
Class 6A
First round Monday, June 2
(3-4) Ephrata at (1-1) North Penn: The Knights (19-5) secured their first district title since 2008, though they won three state titles (2009, ’13, ’15) in the interim. NP was second in the district in 2015 and ’17. Ephrata is 16-8.
(1-4) Neshaminy at (11-1) Parkland: Neshaminy (15-8) won a game at states a year ago after finishing fifth at districts. Parkland is 20-5.
(1-5) Pennsbury at (3-2) Cedar Cliff: The Falcons (16-6-1) captured the SOL Patriot Division for the third time in four years (also 2022-23). Cedar Cliff is 17-6.
(12-1) Bonner-Prendergast vs. (1-3) Coatesville at La Salle College HS, 1 p.m.
Class 5A
First round Monday, June 2
(1-3) Hatboro-Horsham vs. (11-1) Bangor at DeSales University: The Hatters won three games at districts, including over No. 1 Chichester (4-0) and No. 3 Upper Moreland (6-1), as the 11th seed in a 12-team tournament to make states. Bangor (13-11) rallied for nine runs in the final two innings to down Whitehall 12-8 in the District 11 title game.
Class 4A
First round Monday, June 2
(12-2) Archbishop Wood at (3-1) East Pennsboro, 5 p.m.: The Vikings (14-6) return to states after missing out a year ago following a pair of seasons (2022-23) reaching the semifinals. East Pennsboro is 22-0 (14-0 in Mid-Penn Capital Conference), defeating Boiling Springs 2-1 in the D3 title game.
Class 3A
First round Monday, June 2
(1-1) Bristol or (11-1) Notre Dame-Green Pond vs. (12-2) Philadelphia Academy, TBA
Class 2A
First round Monday, June 2
(1-1) Faith Christian vs. (12-1) Masterman at Villanova Ballpark: The Lions (18-2) are the Class A defending state champions. Masterman of the Philadelphia Public League ended up 5-7-1.
Class 1A
First round Monday, June 2
(1-1) Dock Mennonite vs. (11-1) Nativity BVM at Boyertown: The Pioneers are 13-6 after winning another district title. Nativity is 10-11.