'Awesome experience': Bishop McCort, Greater Johnstown baseball teams set for PNC Park date

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The Greater Johnstown High School baseball team had a date inside the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Double-A affiliate’s ballpark in Altoona earlier this week.

Now, the Trojans will move up the major league organizational ladder to meet city rival Bishop McCort Catholic at PNC Park in Pittsburgh Saturday night.

“It’s been a really awesome experience for our kids to go down and see what the Altoona Curve showed them about what the minor league players get to experience,” Greater Johnstown coach Kerry Pfeil said, referring to a 6-3 loss to Richland Tuesday at Peoples Natural Gas Field, home of the Curve.

“Obviously, to play in that stadium, and a couple days later, we get to go from the Double-A affiliate’s stadium to the major league stadium, it’s just a really unique opportunity for any high school player.”

First pitch is at 6:15 p.m. on the Pirates’ home field. Admission is free. High school baseball fans only will have access to specific sections of the ballpark. Concession stands will not be open, but the big scoreboard in left field will operate.

“It’s a great opportunity to play your rival at the best venue a high school kid could possibly play at,” said Bishop McCort coach Chris Pfeil, who is Kerry Pfeil’s older brother.

“For us, it has big playoff implications,” added Chris Pfeil, whose 11-7 Crimson Crushers have won four straight and eight of their past nine contests. “We’re fighting for seeding. Right now, we could finish anywhere from one to three (in District 6 Class 2A). It’s certainly a big game for us.”

Bishop McCort will play its seventh PNC Park game, bringing a 3-3 mark since their first date on the Pirates’ home field in 2014 against Bethel Park.

“Our players’ parents work hard to fundraise to be able to do this for our kids,” Chris Pfeil said. “It’s a great experience.

“The Pirates treat you great.

“At McCort, we’re about giving our kids opportunities and this is one of the best opportunities you can give a high school kid.”

In order to play in PNC Park, high school programs must sell tickets to a Pirates home game. The Crimson Crushers and Trojans teamed to sell 800 tickets to the Bucs’ 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays April 19. Players from both teams, their families and supporters of each program watched Pittsburgh pitcher Mitch Keller throw a gem in the win.

Greater Johnstown brings a 2-16 record into Saturday’s game, although the Trojans have been more competitive than the sub-.500 mark.

“Johnstown is way better than their record indicates,” Chris Pfeil said. “They’ve played solid games all year long. They’ve hung tight with some really good teams.