Fleetwood has PIAA semifinal opponent, site

By Mike Drago Last updated Jun 9, 2024

Fleetwood's Tommy Cox, left, and Jack Riffle congratulate Liam Hilburt after the final out Thursday. (Jeffrey Shomo photo)

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The Fleetwood Tigers are headed back to Bellefonte Monday, looking for a repeat performance.

The Tigers will face District 7 runner-up Indiana at 4 at Governor’s Park in a PIAA Class 4A semifinal.

The Tigers (17-9) made program history Thursday, winning in the quarterfinal round for the first time when they held off Montour 5-3 behind the relief pitching of Liam Hilburt. Prior to this week Fleetwood had won just one game in the state tournament, in 2008.

With Gov. Mifflin advancing in Class 5A with a 10-0 win over Whitehall this marks the first time two Berks baseball teams have reached the semifinals in the same year since 1988, when Wilson and Oley Valley each played in the PIAA championship game.

The Little Indians (15-9) advanced Thursday with a 6-5 win over District 3 champ East Pennsboro. Fleetwood lost to East Pennsboro 3-2 in the district semifinals, then beat James Buchanan 5-2 to secure the third and final berth for the state tournament.