Maplewood will take on No. 1 Saegertown at 2 p.m. Friday back in Slippery Rock.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 6 Kennedy Catholic blanked No. 3 Cochranton 11-0 in six innings for the right to take on No. 2 Rocky Grove at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Slippery Rock.

The young Eagles team secured their first playoff berth since 2011 with a 9-9 regular season during which they split a season series with Maplewood.

Matt DeSimone, who has been a key player for the Eagles all season, hit a single to find his way on base. From there, he stole his way around the bases to put the Eagles up 1-0.

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Youngsville’s Matt DeSimone follows through on a single.

According to MaxPreps, DeSimone is second in Pennsylvania with 43 stolen bases and third in on-base percentage.

Nathan Lucks started on the mound for Youngsville and struck out two in the first two innings before a nagging injury became too much.

“Nathan has been battling elbow soreness for the last week and a half,” Eagles head coach Eddie Dorunda said. “James Johnson showed maturity tonight stepping up to take the ball in a big game like that.”

Johnson began his work on the mound with two outs in the third inning and finished the frame with a strikeout.

Maplewood had already scored two runs in the second inning to go up 2-1 at that point.

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Youngsville’s Matt DeSimone steals third base during Wednesday’s District 10 Class 1A quarterfinal against Maplewood.

Johnson, ranked fourth on MaxPreps in Pennsylvania for stealing bases, made sure he showcased his quickness by stealing two bases before Keegan Mesel hit him home.

Andrew Proper of Maplewood hit two runs in before scoring himself.

The Eagles dug themselves out of a 6-2 gap in the fifth inning when Lucks drove in DeSimone. Lucks and Ian Mancuso both found their way home being walked around the bases to cut the lead to one. Lane Buccardo then stole home to tie the score 6-6.

“The boys dug deep and gave everything they had to give ourselves a chance to win, Dorunda said.”

Johnson struck out two more in the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth, Mancuso placed a beautiful bunt just right for Mesel to cross home plate.

But McFadden’s hit sealed the game with his long drive to left field, ending the Eagles hard-earned season.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the fight this group put up tonight,” Dorunda said. “Youngsville baseball will be back.”