Softball
Scholastic Notebook – 04/17/2015
April 17, 2015
Life in Section 1 of WPIAL Class AAAA baseball is full of close calls. The WPIAL season is a little less than a month old and it’s remarkable how many close games there are in Section 1. Heading into Friday’s action, there have been 12 games played in the section. Two-thirds were decided by two runs or less and five had been decided by one run. The close games certainly reflect the balance of the section. But they also reflect the strength of the section. This should tell you the strength of Section 1: It includes four teams – Moon, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland and Seneca Valley – that have made 17 WPIAL championship appearances in either Class AAAA or AAA over the past 11 years. The other members of the section are North Hills and Butler.Hometown Softball Recap for Baldwin Highlanders – 04/16/2015
April 16, 2015
Rachel Hankin and Rachel Albert hit back-to-back solo home runs in the 6th inning, lifting Bethel Park (5-3, 4-1) to a 2-1 win over Baldwin (5-1, 4-1) on Wednesday night at Baldwin High School. The blasts were the lone blemishes for Highlanders' pitcher and Pitt-Greensburg recruit Jamie Schleicher, who allowed just four hits and struck out eleven batters in the complete game loss. Schleicher would retire the first eight Bethel Park batters, give up a single to Hankin in the 4th inning and then retire eight more batters in a row, before Hankin, the nine-hitter in the Blackhawks' lineup, would launch a ball over the right field wall. Moments later, Bethel Park's leadoff hitter, Albert, would follow up with a shot of her own over the center field fence.MSA Sports Top Ten – WPIAL Softball – 04/15/2015
April 15, 2015
Each week during the regular season, MSA Sports will rank the top ten softball teams in the WPIAL in all four classifications every Tuesday at www.MSAsports.net Here are this weeks rankings. Log on every day for updated standings and game broadcasts on your exclusive home for the 2015 WPIAL Softball Playoffs sponsored by Carlow University, the MSA Sports Network at MSAsports.net WPIAL CLASS AAAA TOP TEN: 1. CANON-McMILLAN BIG MACS (7-0) (Last Week #1) 2. HEMPFIELD SPARTANS (6-0) (Last Week #3) 3. NORTH ALLEGHENY TIGERS (5-0) (Last Week #4)This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 04/13/2015
April 13, 2015
The clouds have parted after a week of washouts and the diamond action gets back into a mid-season groove this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have WPIAL section play from the diamonds in both baseball and softball along with several more Hometown Softball Broadcasts, while we also have WPIAL section coverage in boys volleyball and boys lacrosse, plus The WPIAL Baseball Show and the weekly edition of Rappin' on Racin' ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, April 13th: TALK SHOW - Rappin' on Racin' at 6:00pm on MSAsports.net WPIAL High School Baseball - Hempfield vs Penn-Trafford at 4:00pm on MSAsports.netMSA Sports Top Ten – WPIAL Softball – 04/08/2015
April 8, 2015
Each week during the regular season, MSA Sports will rank the top ten softball teams in the WPIAL in all four classifications every Tuesday at www.MSAsports.net Here are this weeks rankings...including a NEW #1 in Class Quad-A. Log on every day for updated standings and game broadcasts on your exclusive home for the 2015 WPIAL Softball Playoffs sponsored by Carlow University, the MSA Sports Network at MSAsports.net WPIAL CLASS AAAA TOP TEN: 1. CANON-McMILLAN BIG MACS (5-0) (Last Week #2) 2. SHALER TITANS (3-1) (Last Week #1) 3. HEMPFIELD SPARTANS (4-0) (Last Week #3)Hometown Softball Recap for West Mifflin Titans – 04/07/2015
April 7, 2015
A 3-0 first inning deficit was too much for the West Mifflin Titans to overcome as the Titans fell at home to the Belle Vernon Leopards 8-1 on Tuesday afternoon. The loss puts West Mifflin two games back of a playoff spot in the Section 3-AAA race. Belle Vernon scored an unearned run on a Nicole Ashcroft infield single, after an error on pitcher Amber Cook’s throw to second. After two outs, Lacey Washowich tripled over the head of right fielder Riley Carr for the three run advantage after a half inning. West Mifflin had a chance to score with two outs in the bottom of the inning but Tiana Sekowski struck out to end the inning.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 04/05/2015
April 5, 2015
We go hopping back to our normal busy schedule with a post-Easter blossom of spring high school sports action this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have WPIAL section play from the diamonds in both baseball and softball along with the debut of the 2015 Hometown Softball Broadcasts, while we also have District 7 section coverage in boys volleyball and girls lacrosse, plus The WPIAL Baseball Show and the first gold of the spring is handed out with the 2015 WPIAL Boys Singles Tennis Championships ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, April 6th: TALK SHOW - Rappin' on Racin' at 6:00pm on MSAsports.net WPIAL High School Baseball - Carmichaels vs McGuffey at 4:00pm on the McGuffey Highlanders Sports Network at MSAsports.netThis Week on the MSA Sports Network – 03/31/2015
March 31, 2015
As March sails off with the chilly wind, we welcome in April with various spring high school sports this holiday week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have the start of secton play in WPIAL baseball along with more section softball action from around the WPIAL, plus we have WPIAL girls lacrosse and the debut of The WPIAL Baseball Show ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, March 30th: WPIAL High School Softball - McGuffey vs Waynesburg at 4:00pm on Greene Sports Network 3 at MSAsports.net AND on the McGuffey Highlanders Sports Network at MSAsports.net
2015 WPIAL SOFTBALL PREVIEW
March 26, 2015
With a new season upon us and WPIAL section play underway for the select few that have been able to play on their soaked fields, MSA Sports takes a look at some of the softball players and the teams to watch for this 2015 campaign. Obviously, there are a lot of good players who did not crack the below list, but we will be hearing about them and their diamond successes as the campaign rolls on from the chill of March through the heat of late May. Four teams enter the season looking for back-to-back WPIAL softball titles as Shaler, Thomas Jefferson and Beaver (now in AAA) look to repeat while Neshannock shoots for a third straight district title having moved up from Class A to Class AA.
2014 WPIAL SOFTBALL REVIEW
March 25, 2015
2014 saw a pair of first time district champions, a pair of top-seeds go the distance in the WPIAL postseason, one Cinderella team winning gold from the lucky 13th-seed and no WPIAL winner standing tall with gold in the PIAA circle at the end of the season. Here is a look back at the 2014 WPIAL Softball season with final regular season standings along with WPIAL and PIAA playoff results. FINAL 2014 WPIAL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 03/22/2015
March 22, 2015
We have said so long to the winter sports season and a gradual hello to the high school and college spring sports season all this week MSA Sports Network. While we still have some postseason women's college basketball action featuring California University of Pa, we also have the debut of WPIAL baseball, WPIAL softball, WPIAL boys volleyball and WPIAL boys and girls lacrosse, plus we have more college baseball with the Geneva Golden Tornado ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, March 23rd:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 08/17/2014
August 17, 2014
As Countdown to Kickoff 2014 continues each day online, it is the calm before the high school sports storm begins on 8/29 this week here on the MSA Sports Network. With the Pennsylvania Rebellion regular season over, the focus is on Frontier League pro baseball featuring the Washington Wild Things as they return home to CONSOL Energy Field to face River City and Gateway along with Fast Pitch Pro Softball postseason action, plus check out the latest local, regional and national auto racing news every Monday with another edition of Rappin' on Racin' ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, August 18th:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 08/11/2014
August 11, 2014
As Countdown to Kickoff 2014 continues each day online, it is another busy week of youth and professional diamond action this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have Frontier League pro baseball featuring the Washington Wild Things as they hit the road to Windy City and Evansville while the Pennsylvania Rebellion close out a home stand before hitting the road. Meanwhile, the 2014 PONY League World Series winds down with the Championship Game slated for Wednesday, plus check out the latest local, regional and national auto racing news every Monday with another edition of Rappin' on Racin' ALL here at MSAsports.netThis Week on the MSA Sports Network – 08/05/2014
August 5, 2014
As Countdown to Kickoff 2014 continues each day online, it is a busy week of youth and professional diamond action this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have Frontier League pro baseball featuring the Washington Wild Things as they hit the road for three games before returning to CONSOL Energy Field this weekend while the Pennsylvania Rebellion close out a road trip before they also come home to Washington over the weekend.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/28/2014
July 28, 2014
We prepare to wrap up a comfortable July and welcome in what will likely be an unbearable August with plenty of diamond action for both the guys and the gals this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have Frontier League pro baseball featuring the Washington Wild Things as they return to CONSOL Energy Field after a long road trip while the Pennsylvania Rebellion conclude their long home series against Chicago before hitting the road this weekend in Akron.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/23/2014
July 23, 2014
A rather comfortable July continues with plenty of red hot diamond action for both the guys and the gals this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have Frontier League pro baseball featuring the Washington Wild Things as they hit the road all week long with stops in Normal, Southern Illinois and Evansville while the Pennsylvania Rebellion enjoy a week at home at CONSOL Energy Field as they host Akron and Chicago, plus check out the latest local, regional and national auto racing news every Monday with another edition of Rappin' on Racin' ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, July 21st:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/15/2014
July 15, 2014
While the pro baseball scene takes a mid-season break, it's full steam ahead for the pro softball gals this week here on the MSA Sports Network. After the Frontier League all-star break, the Washington Wild Things are back in action this weekend at CONSOL Energy Field as they host the River City Rascals while the Pennsylvania Rebellion fill the mid week gap with pro fast pitch softball at CONSOL Energy Field as they host the Akron Racers, plus check out the latest local, regional and national auto racing news with another edition of Rappin' on Racin' ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, July 14th:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/07/2014
July 7, 2014
July kicks into full gear with plenty of red hot professional action on the diamonds this week here on the MSA Sports Network. The Washington Wild Things spend the week at CONSOL Energy Field as they host the Lake Erie Crushers and the Florence Freedom while the Pennsylvania Rebellion close out a home stand against the USSSA Pride before hitting the road to battle the Chicago Bandits in pro fast pitch softball action, plus check out the latest local, regional and national auto racing news with another edition of Rappin' on Racin' ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, July 7th:
MSA SPORTS CUP: Sewickley Academy Back on Top After Winning Class A Cup
July 3, 2014
Eight time champion Sewickley Academy and defending champ Greensburg Central Catholic were deadlocked with 360 points each with one more sport to calculate in the chase for the 2013-2014 MSA Sports Class A Cup. That one sports was boy tennis, which was great news for Panthers fans and bad news for everybody else in Class A. A district title and state runner-up in boys tennis helped Sewickley Academy win the MSA Sports Cup for the ninth time in eleven years.
MSA SPORTS CUP: Seton-LaSalle Are Rebels With a Cause After Winning AA Cup
July 2, 2014
For only the third time in the eleven years of the MSA Sports Cup Class AA chase, the torch has been passed to a new champion. Greensburg Central Catholic won the first three years, followed by a five year run by Shady Side Academy and the last two years with Quaker Valley on top. Now thanks to a lot of hardwood gold, Seton-LaSalle High School is wearing the Cup crown. After a couple of close calls in recent years, Seton-LaSalle was lifted to the top spot in part because of double gold on the basketball court this winter followed up with some diamond success in the spring.
