Faith Christian Academy is one win away from a perfect season. The Lions conclude the 2024 campaign against Eden Christian in the PIAA-1A state championship game at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning at Penn State University’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The Lions, who already won Bicentennial Athletic League Presidents Conference and District 1 championships this year, are 21-0. Eden Christian, the District 7 runner-up, is 19-6.
Faith Christian’s pitching has been dominant in the state playoffs, limiting its three opponents to one combined run.
In the first round against Nativity BVM, pitchers Grayson Weikel and Reid Miller combined for a no-hitter in the 1-0 win. Weikel, the BAL Presidents Player of the Year, struck out five batters to two walks across six innings. Miller pitched the seventh inning, striking out one batter to no walks. Miller went 2-for-3 at the plate with the game-winning RBI.
Three days later in the quarterfinals, Miller threw a six-inning complete game in an 11-0 win over MMI Prep. He struck out nine batters to three walks and surrendered three hits. Weikel led the offense, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs.
Weikel threw a complete game Monday in the semifinals, a 6-1 win over Bishop McCourt. He allowed one run on five hits while striking out eight batters to no walks. Noah Wilson went 2-for-3 with three RBIs to pace the offense.
Weikel and Miller will both be available to pitch in the state final. Weikel will have the mandatory three days off after throwing 91 pitches Monday while Miller is fully rested after throwing 95 pitches last Thursday.
If it’s Miller who gets the ball, it will be his second championship game start of the spring. In the District 1-1A final – an 11-4 win over Delco Christian – he went six innings and allowed four runs – one earned – on three hits while striking out 13 batters to four walks.
Faith Christian coach Nick Koffel, the BAL Presidents Coach of the Year, has a lineup filled with talent. All nine starters from the semifinal earned all-league honors. Miller and Weikel are joined on the first team by catcher Kendri Beltre, infielder Ethan Johnson and outfielders Brandon Labs and Jagger Verbit. Dylon Roberts and Wilson earned second team spots and Chase Gieser was an honorable mention.
Eden Christian won its three state playoff games by a combined score of 24-12. Eden beat Conemaugh Township in the first round, 6-3, before handling Avella in the quarterfinals, 11-4. Earlier this week they defeated Saegertown, 7-5, in the semifinals.
Faith Christian’s game will be the first of a triple-header at Medlar Field. Avonworth and Neumann-Goretti meet at 1:30 p.m. in the Class-3A final before Hollidaysburg and Governor Mifflin play for the Class-5A title at 4:30 p.m.
For live updates of the Faith Christian game, follow Mike Cabrey on X at @mpcabrey.
