Riverview sophomore keeps composure, leads Raiders past Burgettstown in 2A quarterfinals
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Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 10:13 PM
Riverview starting pitcher Lukas Duncan throws against Burgettstown during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Riverview’s Carter Loughren stretches for the throw to retire Burgettstown’s Matthew Bredel during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Riverview starting pitcher Lukas Duncan reacts after striking out Burgettstown’s Trent Stevens for the final out during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Riverview’s Tyler Aftanas scoops a ball hit by Burgettstown’s Blake Neal during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Riverview’s Rece Stempfer drives in two runs against Burgettstown during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Riverview’s Eli DeVita makes an over-the-shoulder catch on Burgettestown’s Jaden Roach during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Riverview’s Ian Stempfer celebrates with Eli DeVita (8) against Burgettstown during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Riverview starting pitcher Lukas Duncan reacts after striking out Burgettstown’s Trent Stevens for the final out during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Riverview starting pitcher Lukas Duncan throws against Burgettstown during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.
Lukas Duncan plunked Burgettstown third baseman Sam Elich to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning of Tuesday’s WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal at North Allegheny.
But the Riverview sophomore, pitching with his team holding a one-run lead, didn’t let that blemish get to him. He retired the next three batters he faced in the inning and then sent the Blue Devils down in order in the bottom of the seventh — striking out four of the six — to help finish off a 2-1 Raiders victory that propelled them into the semifinals.
“The defense behind me gave me all the confidence I needed,” said Duncan, who fired a complete-game four-hitter with nine strikeouts against only one walk to improve to 6-1 on the season.
“I made some good pitches, and they put some in play, but I knew my teammates were going to make plays. I felt great. Everything was working. I was happy I could do my part. Everyone on this team contributed to this win. It feels great we are moving on.”
Riverview improved to 14-6 overall and will come back at 4 p.m. Wednesday for a semifinal matchup with No. 2 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Peterswood Park.
OLSH shut out New Brighton, 8-0, on Tuesday at North Allegheny.
The Raiders and Chargers met twice in section play May 6-7, and OLSH won both games, 4-0 and 4-3.
Riverview coach Bill Gras said his players are amped up for the opportunity to punch their ticket to the WPIAL championship game while also getting the chance at some payback for two of their three losses in section play.
“There is revenge on their minds,” Gras said.
“They are just ready to win. They’ve lost to OLSH three times in a row, but they have confidence they can beat them this time around. I do, too. We are leaving the field with a lot of momentum, but OLSH is, too. Like I’ve said before, whoever pitches, catches and hits the ball better will win that game. It’s as simple as that.”
Senior Johnny Bertucci will pitch for the Raiders on Wednesday. He earned the win in Riverview’s first-round triumph over California last Thursday.
Trailing 2-0, Burgettstown started to get something cooking against Duncan in the fourth as Elich singled to lead off the inning before the next batter, right fielder Brian Charles, doubled Elich home to cut the Riverview advantage in half.
But Duncan struck out the next two and induced a flyout to Bertucci in left to end the threat.
“Lukas is good at flushing it when something doesn’t go the way he hopes,” Gras said. “For a sophomore, he is very mature and knows what to do to work out of those type of situations.”
The Raiders, who collected six hits in the game, gave Duncan all the runs he needed in the top half of the fourth.
Duncan helped himself with a leadoff single before courtesy runner Ian Stempfer advanced to third on a single from Eli DeVita.
Rece Stempfer then delivered the hit of the game, a two-run double to plate his brother and DeVita.
Burgettstown had at least one runner reach base in every inning but the seventh. But Duncan made pitches, and the Raiders defense made plays, including a sharply turned 5-4-3 double play in the fifth to keep the No. 3-seeded Blue Devils from tying the score or taking the lead.
Burgettstown junior pitcher Matthew Bredel also was strong on the mound. In addition to surrendering the six Riverview hits, he walked one and struck out one.
“(Duncan) hit his spots. He’s good, but Braden pitched his (butt) off, too,” Burgettstown coach Doug Tunno said. “That was an even game. That double play in the fifth was a rally killer.”
The Section 1 co-champion Blue Devils, who lost eight varsity starters from last year’s team and had just three players with varsity experience on the roster, capped their season at 12-5.
“This was good experience for them,” Tunno said.
“It was a good game. We had chances, and they had chances. We just didn’t come through with enough of ours.”
Riverview right fielder Rex Roberts went 2 for 3 to lead the way for the No. 6 seed.
“We needed everyone to do their part with how close this game was,” Gras said. “Some of the games we’ve played, especially the ones against OLSH, have been close, and that helped build character. It makes them tougher to where they know what it takes to win these type of games.”
Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.
Tags: Burgettstown, Riverview
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