Serra Catholic is semifinal bound

By ASHLEY CHASE

MVI Sports

Not rain, not lightning, not the Rebels. Nothing was going to stop Serra Catholic from advancing to the PIAA Class 2A semifinals.

The Eagles (21-4) avenged a 12-0 WPIAL semifinal loss to Seton LaSalle with a 4-1 victory over the Rebels at Greater Latrobe High School on Thursday. 

“I think that [loss] had to happen in order for this game to happen today,” said Serra head coach Brian Dzurenda, of the walk- and error-filled WPIAL final four matchup. “I think they came in just expecting to roll over us, thinking ‘they can’t hit, they can’t stop us’ and Zach Karp was just being Zach Karp, spinning curveballs, changing speeds. His fastball had a little more jump than normal today.”

Karp, the lefthander, threw a complete game of three-hit ball and his defense had his back. Karp allowed just six baserunners, three on walks and the others on hits, but unlike the previous meeting with Seton LaSalle, the defense was perfect.

“I just kept throwing strikes across the plate, getting them to put it in play and let our fielders make plays,” said the sophomore southpaw.

“I got real emotional after they beat us 12-0 because I love this game and I love Serra. I thought we rolled over and didn’t give any resistance when it was 12-0 and that really, really, really upset me,” Dzurenda said.

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