Tri-Valley's Peyton Schley swings at pitch during the annual Russ Rothermel Tournament at Minersville's Del Hauck Field (Photo by Kelly Wiley).

PIAA Baseball Playoffs

Quarterfinal Preview Capsules

Class A

2-1 MMI Prep (11-11) vs. 11-1 Nativity (11-11)

When: Thursday, 1 p.m.

Where: Robert Wetzel Field, North Schuylkill High School

Tickets: All tickets are $8 (plus applicable fees) and must be purchased online at www.piaa.org. All spectators must purchase a ticket. No senior citizen discount.

Radio: WPPA 1360 AM / A-106 105.9 FM (Eli Doyle on play-by-play, Del Hauck on color commentary)

Up Next: Winner faces either 4-1 Cowanesque Valley (16-4) 0r 5-1 Southern Fulton (22-1) in Monday’s state semis.

About MMI Preparatory School

Nickname: Preppers

Head coach: Charlie Karchner

How they got here: District 2 runner-up defeated District 3 champion Christian School of York 5–2 in Monday’s first round.

Key players: P Joshua Witner, sr. (1.85 ERA, 31 K); P Mikie Kranyak, sr. (13.2 IP, .333 BAA); P Tommy Horvat, sr. (12.1 IP, 12 K); P/1B/RF Caleb Skuba, jr. (.441 AVG, .662 SLG); OF Evan Pedri, sr. (.433 AVG, .528 OBP); P/CF Adam Frask, jr. (23 SB).

Fun Facts: The Preppers are hitting .305 as a team with a .413 on-base percentage and .405 slugging percentage. They have a team fielding percentage of .883. MMI Prep has outscored opponents 153–122 this season. Founded in 1879 as the Industrial School for Miners and Mechanics, MMI stands for Mining and Mechanical Institute. The school was established by Eckley B. Coxe to provide technical education to miners in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

About Nativity BVM

Nickname: Hilltoppers

Head coach: Ben Kreiger

How they got here: District 11 champion edged District 1 runner-up Dock Mennonite 7–6 in Monday’s first round.

Key players: P/CF Stephen Karinch, soph. (.444 AVG, .565 OBP, 20 H, 19 R, 13 SB; pitching — 1.15 ERA); P/SS Nick Wagner, sr. (.333 AVG, 13 R, 10 SB; pitching — 4.42 ERA); P/IF Ryan Examitis, soph. (.386 AVG, 17 H, 14 RBI); 1B Andrew Verchick, sr. (.439 SLG, 1 HR); OF/DH Zeno Rugh, sr. (13 H, 9 RBI, 2 2B); IF Ryan Grabowski, jr. (.385 AVG, .467 OBP, 15 H, 13 RBI)

Fun Facts: The Hilltoppers are hitting .391 as a team with a .588 on-base percentage. … They have a team fielding percentage of .883. … Nativity has outscored opponents 153–122 this season. … The Hilltoppers are making their first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals round after attaining their first PIAA Tournament victory on Monday.

Game Notes / Breakdown

Both teams have demonstrated strong performances against Weatherly, securing decisive victories. Against Marian, Nativity split their games, while MMI Prep narrowly lost in extra innings in their lone matchup. Shenandoah Valley proved challenging for both teams, with each suffering close losses. A compelling matchup between two programs seeking their first-ever trip to the PIAA semifinals. On the mound, MMI Prep relies on senior Joshua Witner, who holds a 2.55 ERA and 31 strikeouts. Frask contributes with a 4.02 ERA, providing depth to the pitching staff. Stephen Karinch has been key for the Hilltoppers in relief appearances on the mound. Both teams emphasize aggressive base running and solid defense.

Class AA

6-1 Mount Union (19-4) vs. 11-1 Tri-Valley (20-6)

When: Thursday, 4 p.m.

Where: Big Spring High School

Tickets: All tickets are $8 (plus applicable fees) and must be purchased online at www.piaa.org. All spectators must purchase a ticket. No senior citizen discount.

Up Next: Winner of 4-1 South Williamsport (13-10) and 1-1 Faith Christian (19-2) in Monday’s state semis.

About Mount Union

Nickname: Trojans

Head coach: Timothy Hicks

How they got here: District 6 champion defeated District 4 runner-up Montgomery 13–0 in Monday’s first round.

Key players: OF/P Julian Weirich, sr. (.440 AVG, .531 OBP, 15 SB, 1.000 FP); INF/P/OF Jamon Ranck, so. (.385 AVG, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 12 SB); 3B/P Dylan Shawver, sr. (.383 AVG, 24 RBI, 2.75 ERA); P/1B Davin Yocum, sr. (1.82 ERA, 10 W); P/3B Cody McClain, sr. (2.08 ERA, 6 W); 1B/P/C Levi Hunsinger, so. (.462 OBP, 2 HR); C/INF Abe Weirich, jr. (3 HR); OF Nasir Collins, so. (22 SB)

Fun Facts: The Trojans are hitting .425 as a team with a .516 on-base percentage and .442 slugging percentage. … They have a team fielding percentage of .947. … Mount Union has outscored opponents 185–70 this season. … The team boasts a balanced lineup with multiple players contributing both offensively and defensively.

About Tri-Valley

Nickname: Dawgs

Head coach: Brent Smith

How they got here: District 11 champion defeated District 2 winner Holy Redeemer 6-5 in Monday’s first round.

Key players: P/INF Braeden Doyle, jr. (.355 AVG, .419 OBP, 33 H, 26 R, 26 RBI; pitching — 68.2 IP, 10-0, 1.12 ERA), P/INF Gavin Klock, jr. (.231 AVG, 18 RBI; pitching — 36.1 IP, 4 W, 2.89 ERA), P Peyton Schley, fr. (28.1 IP, 2.72 ERA, 33 K), 1B/P Owen Miller, sr. (.283 AVG; pitching — 39.1 IP, 3.74 ERA, 36 K), SS Jason Stewart, jr. (.419 AVG, .578 OBP, 31 H, 18 R, 18 RBI, 8 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 19 SB), C Jake Hatter, fr. (.310 AVG, 25 H, 15 R, 12 RBI)

Fun Facts: The Dawgs are hitting .342 as a team with an on-base percentage of .438. … The pitching staff boasts a combined ERA under 3.00, led by senior Braeden Doyle’s 10-win season and 1.12 ERA. … Tri-Valley was the Class AA runner-up a season after falling to Bald Eagle Area 11-3. It was Bald Eagle’s second consecutive title — they now compete in Class 3A.

Game Notes / Breakdown

This quarterfinal is a clash between two of Pennsylvania’s toughest small-school baseball programs — both built on grit, defense, and fearless pitching. Mount Union brings a deep-rooted tradition of athletic toughness out of Huntingdon County. The Trojans play an aggressive, physical brand of baseball — they’re not afraid to steal, bunt, and challenge you on every throw. They’ve been a postseason fixture for years and approach every game like a street fight: with hustle, fundamentals, and pressure baseball. The Dawgs are methodical and polished. They’re not a senior-heavy roster, but are filled with players who’ve played on this stage before. They don’t overpower you — they out-execute you. Tri-Valley doesn’t beat themselves, and they capitalize when you do. Expect a contrast in energy. Mount Union brings a fast-paced, vocal dugout and loves to swing early in counts. Like last game against Holy Redeemer, expect the Dawgs to control the tempo, extend at-bats, and use its depth in key spots. Both teams defend well and have deep pitching staffs — meaning this game could hinge on one moment of pressure. A late error. A missed cutoff. A gutsy steal attempt. Neither program is a stranger to June baseball — but only one can move on. Whoever wins this one will be battle-tested and dangerous heading into the state semifinals.