How they got here: After a first-round bye, Indiana defeated No. 9 Ambridge, 1-0 (9 innings) in the quarterfinals; and No. 5 Belle Vernon, 11-2, in the semifinals.
Notable: Minnick and Ryan Okopal were an unbeatable tandem on the mound during the regular season. Minnick (0.74 ERA), a Texas Tech recruit, went 7-0, and Okopal (0.39 ERA) is 8-0. Both had 45 strikeouts. Minnick shined in the quarterfinals, tossing a one-hitter with 17 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. Okopal closed out the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and no runs. In the semifinals, Birch, Vanhoose and Putt all knocked in two runs, and Cosentino had three RBIs. Petroff is in his second season and has guided the Little Indians to the district final both years. Indiana is seeking its first WPIAL title.
How they got here: After a first-round bye, Elizabeth Forward defeated No. 11 Ringgold, 8-5, in the quarterfinals; and No. 7 Central Valley, 4-1, in the semifinals.
Notable: The Warriors average 7.6 runs per game. They have won six straight games since a 14-9 loss to West Mifflin in April. Herchelroath, who is committed to pitch at Akron, is 6-1 this season with a 1.70 ERA and 84 strikeouts. He also is batting .412. Nigut (.469) and Crovak (.412) also hit over .400. Crovak is 5-0 on the mound with a 2.17 ERA and 66 strikeouts. In the semifinals, Herchelroath was 2 for 2 with a double and RBI. Vuick hit a two-run homer. Crovak threw a four-hitter with 12 strikeouts. The Warriors are in the WPIAL championship for the fourth time and have won twice, the most recent in 2011.