With two Delaware County team's in Thursday's District One Class AAA title game, you knew one team would have to go home unhappy.

Sun Valley, on the strength of a five-run fifth inning, wore the Class AAA crown in a 7-5 win over Marple Newtown. Catcher Joe Maloney hit a home run to lead off the inning and get things going for the Vanguards, who have won 21 straight games.

It also marked a third consecutive come-from-behind win in the playoffs for the Vanguards. They rallied with a two-run walkoff homer in the quarterfinals, scored two runs on a seventh-inning single in the semifinals, and erased early 1-0 and 2-1 deficits against the Tigers. Interestingly, right fielder and pitcher Pat Sheridan was key in all three games.

Both teams will play Monday in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA state tournament. Sun Valley will take on Fleetwood, the District Three runner-up, while Marple Newtown will face District Three champ Muhlenberg. More to come soon on those games.

Wait, what? There's a big game today?

In case you weren't aware - hard to believe, really - there are two local teams vying for one championship.

Marple Newtown (15-6) takes on Sun Valley (19-1) in the District One Class AAA championship game today in a 4 p.m. start at Glen Mills Schools. The Tigers and the Vanguards are the final two remaining teams from Delco still playing on the diamond, so today's game should be a treat.

Make sure you get there early, as parking is usually limited at The Mills. (I'm pretty sure all baseball parking is on the grass field beside the stadium.) See you out there.

Two seasons ended while two more are extended following Tuesday afternoon's playoff games.

Sun Valley and Marple Newtown, the first and second Delco teams to ever make a state-baseball final, both qualified for the state tournament with wins Tuesday. In fact, the two will face each other in Thursday's District One Class AAA final.

Monsignor Bonner's fall in the Catholic League title game wasn't without a solid effort from Conor Kerins, pictured, who was lifted by coach Joe DeBarberie after five-plus strong innings. He gave everything had against St. Joseph's Prep, which looked like one of the strongest teams I've seen all season.

In the Class A bracket, Delco Christian lost to Morrisville on a walk-off grand slam in the eighth inning.

So the fine folks at Shippensburg University - bless their hearts - have incorporated some sort of Wireless Internet block against the Daily Times' blogging program. Apparently it's a personals page and it could not be accessed while I was covering the PIAA Class AAA track meet.

So since it's been awhile since my last post, here's what you've probably missed:

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
Four Delaware County teams are still alive for Tuesday afternoon's action. Monsignor Bonner is going for its first Catholic League title since 1989, in a 4 p.m. start against St. Joseph's Prep. In Class AAA, Sun Valley and Marple Newtown will play in separate semifinals, and Delco Christian is in the final four of the Class A bracket.

Let's hope there's less rain and more shine in the forecast. For previews of the games, pick up Tuesday's Daily Times.

STATE TRACK MEET
Penncrest thrower Karen Shump went out in a blaze of glory, ending her track and field career with a fourth straight shot put title at states. The defending All-Delco Track Athlete of the Year stands alone in her events. Here are two other stories (link and link) from the girls side of the track meet.

On the boys side, Glen Mills jumper Johnny Jenkins was the Delco area's lone state champion. And he only started long jumping three months ago. Here's my account from states on Friday.

Overall, the experience was a blast. Though the Shippensburg people need to lighten up on their Internet standards. More to come soon, especially with four baseball teams still alive in the playoffs.

And lest we forget Delaware County's team in the Carpenter Cup.

It's time for the postseason! The District One Class AAAA playoffs open today, with five Delaware County teams kicking things off:

Garnet Valley at Owen J. Roberts
Strath Haven at Hatboro Horsham
C.B. West at Upper Darby
Chichester at Plymouth Whitemarsh
Interboro at Cheltenham

From what I can tell, all the games will be at 3:45 p.m. with exception to the Upper Darby game, which begins at 4:30 p.m. The Royals' baseball and softball teams are both hosting playoff games today, so the district staggered the schedule a bit.

On Thursday, the Class AAA and Class A playoffs begin, with a few other Delco teams playing as well. More to come on those teams as the playoffs progress.