Baseball

Serra Catholic’s Jayden Mertz (5) and Mark Black (9) return to the dugout following Black’s two-run home run to open the scoring in a win over Avonworth on May 20, 2019, at Boyce-Mayview Park.

WPIAL Class 2A baseball final preview: Seton LaSalle vs. Serra Catholic

May 28, 2019

WPIAL Class 2A baseball championship

Franklin Regional ends long drought, advances to state playoffs

Franklin Regional ended a long streak Tuesday evening.

California’s Jordan Kearns scores on a sqeeze bunt past Union catcher Bryce Smith during the WPIAL Class A championship game Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Wild Things Park.

Top-seeded California defeats Union for 6th WPIAL baseball title

The second time around was bittersweet for California baseball coach Lou Pasquale, who first experienced a WPIAL championship as a Trojans assistant in 2017 before leading the team to a title Tuesday as its head coach.

New Castle’s Rocco Bernadina pitches against Yough in the WPIAL Class 4A consolation game May 28, 2019, at W&J.

New Castle, Bernadina top Yough in WPIAL Class 4A consolation game

There weren’t many scoring chances in Tuesday’s WPIAL Classs 4A third-place consolation baseball game.

Freeport first baseman Matt Mitchell makes a diving catch against Deer Lakes Wednesday May 8, 2019 at Freeport Community Park.

Freeport turns the page, sets sights on PIAA tournament berth

The Freeport baseball team turned to a magic elixir to help it move on from last Wednesday’s loss to section rival Steel Valley in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals.

Shaler’s Nick Rispoli (8), Colton Scott (11) and Justin DeSabato (20) celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Laurel Highlands in the WPIAL Class 5A final Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Wild Things Park.

Shaler rolls past Laurel Highlands to win 5th WPIAL baseball championship

Prince sang about partying like it was 1999. The Shaler baseball team is going to take his advice.

Trib HSSN Baseball Player of the Week for games of May 20-25

May 27, 2019

The Trib HSSN Baseball Player of the Week is Beaver senior Mason Rose, who used his arm and his bat to help the Bobcats reach the WPIAL finals for the first time in six years.

Penn-Trafford pitcher Maclean Maund delivers against Upper St. Clair during a WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinal Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at West Mifflin High School.

WPIAL Class 6A baseball final preview: Penn-Trafford vs. Pine-Richland

WPIAL baseball championships

Franklin Regional’s Andrew Muraco (center) celebrates his two-run home run with teammates during the third inning of their WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal against South Fayette Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at West Mifflin High School.

Westmoreland baseball/softball preview capsules: Games of Tuesday, May 28

Tuesday’s games

Penn-Trafford catcher Cade Patterson tags out North Allegheny’s Nate Campbell at home plate during their WPIAL Class 6A semifinal Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Fox Chapel High School.

Penn-Trafford baseball gets boost from former pro Dana Williams

Like most championship baseball teams, Penn-Trafford relies heavily on its pitching and defense.

WPIAL Class A baseball final preview: California vs. Union

WPIAL Class A baseball championship

Freeport catcher Jarrett Heilman takes a late throw as Steel Valley’s Josh Fossick scores the go-ahead run during the fourth inning of their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Fox Chapel High School.

WPIAL Class 3A baseball final preview: Steel Valley vs. Hopewell

WPIAL Class 3A baseball championship

Shaler pitcher Hunter Boyan (10) competes against Gateway during a WPIAL 5A quarterfinal game May 21, 2019 at Fox Chapel.

WPIAL Class 5A baseball final preview: Shaler vs. Laurel Highlands

WPIAL Class 5A baseball championship

Trib HSSN Baseball Team of the Week for games of May 20-25

May 26, 2019

California, which is in the WPIAL baseball finals for the fifth time this decade and the fourth time in the last six years, is the Trib HSSN Team of the Week.

Shaler’s Justin DeSabato (right) and the Titans will play Laurel Highlands for the WPIAL 5A baseball title at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. The TribLive High School Sports Network will have exclusive coverage of the WPIAL baseball and softball championship games.

TribLive High School Sports Network broadcasts for week of May 27, 2019

Twenty-four teams are ready to battle for district diamond gold this week only here on the TribLive High School Sports Network.

Four WPIAL teams enter Trib HSSN state baseball rankings

May 24, 2019

The weekly Trib HSSN PIAA baseball rankings looked more like the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace after a busy week of district postseason play this past week.

Gateway’s Jaired Lehman tags out Shaler’s Nick Rispoli during their WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal game May 21.

Despite loss in WPIAL quarterfinals, Gateway baseball celebrates successful season

There are 20 baseball teams in WPIAL Class 5A, and if all but one those teams measured success by winning a championship, there wouldn’t be much to play for.