The only one of the three WPIAL teams that doesn’t need directions to Penn State is Eden Christian (20-5), which will get a second chance at winning its first championship when it takes on unbeaten District 1 champion Faith Christian (22-0) at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Just three seasons ago, Eden Christian fell to Halifax, 9-1, in the final.

Beating the only remaining undefeated team in the state will obviously be a tall task for Eden Christian, whose only loss in the past month was to Bishop Canevin in the WPIAL championship. Faith Christian had only one PIAA win in its history entering the season, but has surged into the final following wins by scores of 1-0, 11-0 and 6-1. Getting outstanding pitching is nothing new for the Lions, though, as they have surrendered only 25 runs total on the season. They have shut out 11 opponents and held another eight to one or two runs. Leading the way have been senior Grayson Weikel (9-0, 1.72) and junior Reid Miller (7-0, 0.39). The two combined on a no-hitter in a 1-0 first-round win against Pottsville Nativity BVM.

That Faith Christian pitching staff will be tested by an Eden Christian lineup that averages 9.5 runs per game on the season and has collected 24 in the PIAA playoffs. A young Eden Christian squad has been paced offensively by sophomore Brady Hull (.514, 5 home runs, 41 RBIs), sophomore Brett Feldman (.478) and senior Caleb Emswiler (.443, 6 home runs, 40 RBIs). Emswiler is a Gardner-Webb recruit. Hull is 6 for 11 with a home run and six RBIs in the state playoffs. Senior Enzo Natale, Hull and sophomore Noah Emswiler are the primary pitchers.