There will be a lot of fresh faces in Boyertown for Pennsylvania's legion state tournament in a few weeks, and we know that before state regionals even commence. Each year seven state regional champions are crowned. This past week has been a struggle for a good number of those teams who failed to advance past their league tournaments this season.
In Region 2, defending champion and state-runnner up Twin Valley was downed by defending state champion Boyertown in a loser's bracket contest in the Berks County League tournament. The team went 1-2 in the tournament a year after playing well in the Mid-Atlantic Regional.
In Region 3, defending champion Downingtown was ousted on Tuesday by Lionville. The team went 2-2 in the league tournament a year after going 2-2 at the state tournament.
The Region 4 defending champion Spring Grove is still alive. They lead Southwest York 3-0 in a suspended game in the third inning. That game is due to resume shortly before 6pm on Tuesday. The defending champs are the lone unbeaten in their league tournament and are a few wins away from a return trip to regionals.
In Region 5, defending champion Greater Pittston was eliminated from the Wyoming Valley League tournament earlier this week by Tunkhannock. The team went 1-2 in the league tournament after going 0-2 at the state tournament last season.
Perennial Regin 6 power Blackhawk is back at it again. They recently completed another successful run through the Beaver County League tournament where they took the title with a 3-1 series win over Hopewell. They'll return to regionals and then attempt to better their 1-2 performance at states last year.
In Region 7, defending champion Latrobe was eliminated in the District 31- Westmoreland County League playoffs on Sunday. The Jethawks made it back to the league semifinals but were defeated by rival Unity two games to one in their playoff series. Last year at states, Latrobe went 1-2.
In Region 8, perennial power Millcreek remains alive as well. They went 0-2 at the state tournament last season.