Today’s WPIAL Class AAA playoff game at North Allegheny high school between Thomas Jefferson and Blackhawk has all the makings of a pitcher’s dual on paper.  Scheduled to toe the rubber for Thomas Jefferson is Class of 2012 right hander Greg Schneider, a PITT recruit.  Schneider comes in to today’s game with an 8-0 record and an ERA of .16.  He has struck out almost two batters per inning on the season. The last time he allowed a run to cross the plate was on April 20 in a game against West Mifflin. No. 1 ranked Blackhawk will counter with Class of 2014 left hander Brendan McKay.  McKay is currently ranked as the No. 2 player in his class by Prep Baseball Report, and among the top 50 players in the country in his class by many publications. McKay is 6-1 on the season. His loss to Hopewell in April is the only loss on his record in his high school career. McKay has a .60 ERA and is part of a one-two punch with senior Adam Rousseau who sports and 8-0 record.

Regardless of the outcome, today promises to be a chance to see two of the top pitching prospects in the state going at it head to head. The winner will move on to the WPIAL championship game at Consol Energy Park on May 29 or May 30.  The loser will face a season ending elimination game later this week.

It is feasible that the same pitching tandem could face off again later in the PIAA playoffs if both teams survive the week and advance to the state playoff bracket.