Gladiators shut out by Highlanders

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

For the first time in 14 years, a young South Allegheny baseball team experienced playing in the postseason Thursday. 

Unfortunately for the Gladiators, their stay was short lived. 

Thirteenth-seeded SA’s inexperience was evident as errors and offensive struggles played a big role in a 5-0 loss to fourth-seeded McGuffey in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs at Washington and Jefferson’s Ross Memorial Park. 

South Allegheny head coach Dennis Reist started a freshman, two sophomores, four juniors and three seniors in the program’s first playoff game since 2007. 

While that lineup may seem like it consists of a veteran core with seven upperclassmen, there is a lack of experience there considering a whole season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. 

“It was all about inexperience, but after 14 years and breaking that drought, they got a taste of experience,” Reist said. “They got a taste of the playoffs and I think it’s just the start of something new. Hopefully they’re willing to build off of it and they remember this feeling in the offseason.” 

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