Budacki's big start leads New Brighton to first playoff win in seven years

NATRONA HEIGHTS — One year after faltering in the same matchup in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs against Derry Area, New Brighton junior ace Bobby Budacki made sure history didn't repeat itself.

After losing to Derry Area 10-0 last season, Budacki and the No. 7 Lions battled their way to a 2-1 win Tuesday at Highlands High School in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs over the No. 10 Trojans, relying heavily on Budacki's dominance on the mound, as well as some timely defensive plays behind him.

Against Derry Area, Budacki picked up the complete-game victory on just 84 pitches, striking out four, walking just two, and allowing just seven total baserunners in the seven innings of work, leading the Lions to their first playoff win in seven seasons in the process.

"This means a lot to this group; New Brighton hasn't won a playoff game since 2015, so this is great," senior Gabe Haddox said. "We prepared all week, got off to a fast start and got the job done."

From the opening pitch, Budacki was locked in. Through three innings, Budacki had faced the minimum, inducing five groundball outs while striking out two and getting some help from junior catcher Mitchell Goehring, who threw a runner out attempting to steal.

"Locating my fastball today was very important," Budacki said. "My catcher Mitchell Goehring was phenomenal today. I was hitting spots he was putting up, and he played a heck of a game that really translated back and forth between us."

As Budacki cruised on the mound, the Lions manufactured a run in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Ian McKee singled on the first pitch of the inning, Haddox — who just recently made his return to the diamond after a serious injury in football — singled to left, and Budacki was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Two batters later freshman Jake McGee grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Ian McKee for the 1-0 lead.

That one-run lead held up as Budacki continued to keep the Trojans' lineup off balance. Following a single to lead off the fourth inning by Derry Area junior Ashton Beighley, Budacki started a double-play on his own before striking out his mound opponent, senior Ryan Hood, to end the fourth.

"I was very impressed with him overall today," New Brighton head coach Michael Kirschner said following the one-run win. "This one meant a lot to him; he started against them last year in the first round and it didn't go so well, so for him to come out here today and get a win meant a lot to him. He had command of a lot of pitches today; his fastball is good, and it makes it tough when he's throwing his curveball and change-up for strikes filling up the zone."

Things remained scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when junior Brennan Cattivera was hit by a pitch and Budacki singled to right, putting runners on the corners with one out. An errant throw on a pickoff attempt by Hood to first sailed high, allowing Cattivera to trot home from third, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead.

With a two-run lead, Budacki continued to deal, though he did run into some trouble in the top of the fifth. A leadoff double to left-center by Derry senior Jonathan Hugus put a runner in scoring position for the first time all day for the Trojans. Hugus then advanced to third on a groundout before sophomore Brady Angus walked, putting runners on the corners.

Budacki then picked off Angus attempting to steal second, but in the ensuing rundown, Hugus raced home to score a run for the Trojans, making it a 2-1 game.

That was it though for the Trojans, as Budacki slammed the door down the stretch, shaking off a two-out walk in the top of the seventh to junior Antonio Hauser, inducing a groundout to freshman Brock Budacki at third, setting off a celebration for the Lions.

"This is huge for the program. We were finally able to get over the hump," Budacki said. "This feels amazing. We had a tough season, a lot of ups and downs. So to be able to come back today and beat this team is really special."

With the win, New Brighton advanced to the second round, where the Lions will take on the No. 2 South Park Eagles on Thursday at a time and location to be determined.

Contact Joshua Carney at jcarney@gannett.com or 724-681-9136. Follow Joshua on Twitter: @ByJoshCarney.