For three innings Thursday, Liberty's lineup battled Philadelphia Public League Independence Division MVP Nick Herrera.

When Herrera failed to throw strikes, as he did during Jared Burcin's first at-bat, the Hurricanes took pitches. When Herrera left a pitch where a player liked it, as he did during Jake Wagner's second-inning plate appearance, Liberty did enough damage to build a 2-0 lead.

Liberty's patience and plate discipline through the first three innings paid dividends in the fourth. The Hurricanes knocked Herrera out with a six-run, five-hit frame that propelled them to an 8-0 win over Frankford and their first PIAA baseball semifinal since 2002.

"When pitchers get tired, sometimes the ball goes up a little bit," Liberty coach Andy Pitsilos said. "They start missing their spots. That's why that six-run inning happened. We kind of worked him a little bit, and he had to come out.

"It's a testament to our kids and the discipline they show at the plate. And when it's over the plate, they rip."

The Hurricanes want to rip for two more games. They first need to win Monday when they face District 1 champion Pennsbury in a PIAA 6A semifinal (12 p.m., Bears Stadium in Boyertown).

The Falcons have excelled at holding teams in check this season. They have limited foes to 2.5 runs per game and surrendered just one run over 18 innings in two state tournament wins.

Pitsilos will make sure his players respect what Pennsbury has done to reach this point. He also knows he can count on his senior-filled lineup to execute Liberty's plan.

The Hurricanes head into the semifinals with a .445 team on-base percentage. Left fielder Ben Piripavel (.561), Burcin (.505), and leadoff hitter Kyle Hlavaty (.504) have spent all season troubling opposing pitchers with their on-base skills.

Liberty has walked more times (152) than it has struck out (139). The Hurricanes have also been plunked 28 times.

"It's just all we practice and having fun with it," Burcin said. "If it's not our pitch, don't swing at it."

Added Wagner: "We kind of just wait for our time to shine, and then we just capitalize on it."

Patience could be crucial against Pennsbury. Senior Billy Bethel is expected to start for the Falcons. He has a 1.31 ERA and hasn't allowed an earned run since April 24.

Bethel held Parkland to four hits and one unearned run while striking out six over six innings in Pennsbury's state opener. He also fired a three-hit shutout in a District 1 semifinal win over Neshaminy.

Liberty has faced and defeated quality pitching before. The Hurricanes love to bunt and run to pressure their foes.

Their approach won't change.

"If you get the ball in play, good things are going to happen," Pitsilos said. "We definitely want to walk more than we strike out. These kids have phenomenal numbers this year as far as that goes. They also have good hitting numbers.

"Then sometimes the running game leads to a little more fastballs, and then the hitting goes up. Let's just hope it can continue."

samiller@mcall.com

Twitter @mcall_smiller

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PIAA BASEBALL SEMIFINALS

CLASS 6A

District 11 champion Liberty (25-3) vs. District 1 champion Pennsbury (20-6)

When/where: 12 p.m. Monday, Bears Stadium in Boyertown.

At stake: A berth in the PIAA 6A final against District 3 champion Dallastown or District 6 champion State College. The title game is schedule for 3:30 p.m. Friday at Penn State's Lubrano Park.

LIBERTY

Coach: Andy Pitsilos.

About the Hurricanes: Reached the semifinals with a 5-4 win over District 3 runner-up Governor Mifflin and an 8-0 victory against District 12 champion Frankford. Average 7.3 runs per game and allow 2.4. Won five straight games and 17 of their last 18 games. Their only loss during that stretch came to Parkland 6-3 in the EPC final. This is the first time they have made the state semifinals since 2002, when they reached the state final. Senior right-hander Alex Super will likely start. He is 5-0 with a 1.12 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 10 games (8 starts) covering 50 innings.

PENNSBURY

Coach: Joe Pesci.

About the Falcons: Advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1, 11-inning win over District 11 runner-up Parkland and a 3-0 win over District 1 No. 4 seed Perkiomen Valley. Average 4.7 runs per game and allow 2.5. Have won their last 11 games. Won the Suburban One League National Conference with a 10-2 league record. It was their second SOL National title in three years. Beat North Penn 5-3 in the District 1 6A final June 1. This is their second state tournament appearance in three years. They fell to North Penn in the state quarterfinals in 2015. Senior ace Billy Bethel (8-2, 1.31 ERA, 63.2 innings) will likely start. He hasn't allowed an earned run since April 24.

CLASS 5A

District 11 champion Whitehall (12-12) vs. District 2 champion Wallenpaupack (18-2)

When/where: 4 p.m. Monday, Marywood University in Scranton.

At stake: A spot in the PIAA 5A championship game against District 1 runner-up Springfield-Delco or District 7 champion Greater Latrobe. The title game is schedule for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Penn State's Lubrano Park.

WHITEHALL

Coach: Shaun O'Boyle.

About the Zephyrs: Reached the semifinals with a 7-0 win over District 3 runner-up Daniel Boone in the first round and a 5-2 win over District 1 No. 3 seed Upper Moreland in the quarterfinals. Average 5.3 runs per game and allow 3.5. Have won five straight games to return to .500 after a 7-12 start to their season. Averaging 7.4 runs per game during their winning streak after averaging 4.7 runs over their first 19 games. Alex Bruneio (3-4, 1.92 ERA) will likely start. He has allowed 52 hits and struck out 75 over 54 2/3 innings. Zach Hamscher and Matt Dobeck have combined to steal 33 bases without getting caught.

WALLENPAUPACK

Coach: Todd Schmalzle.

About the Buckhorns: Reached the semifinals with a 3-1 win over District 1 No. 4 seed Upper Merion and a 2-0 win over District 1 champion Marple Newtown. Average 5.3 runs per game and allow 2.2 runs per game. Enter the state semifinals with a nine-game winning streak. Have allowed one or no runs seven times in their last eight games. Aaron Husson, a UMBC recruit, should start. He is 5-0 with a 2.27 ERA. He has allowed 36 hits, walked 15 and struck out 61 in 46 1/3 innings. ... Have four players with at least 15 hits: Derrick Vosburg (21), Tyler Kirsten (21), Morgan Theobald (17) and Max Alessi (15). They have just 13 extra-base hits as a team.

Compiled by Stephen Miller

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Patience, plate discipline has Liberty baseball team one win from state final - Allentown Morning Call