High school roundup for May 13, 2021: Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward grab baseball berths

By:
Friday, May 14, 2021 | 12:45 AM


Coming into the final official play date of the WPIAL baseball season, four teams were on the playoff bubble in Section 3-4A.

Belle Vernon and Elizabeth Forward made the field. Greensburg Salem and Ringgold did not.

Belle Vernon (6-8, 6-6) qualified with a dramatic 7-6 victory over Greensburg Salem (4-10, 4-8) when Zach Jackson hit a two-out walk-off RBI single. Jackson drove in Donovan Von Fradenburgh, who singled with one out.

Zach O’Bryan had an RBI single in the fifth for Greensburg Salem (4-10, 4-8), tying the score 6-6 after Belle Vernon had taken a 5-0 lead in the first.

Elizabeth Forward (7-8, 5-7), which had already completed its season schedule, made it when Uniontown (4-12, 3-9) knocked off Ringgold (8-10, 4-8).

Christian Thomas had three hits and Tate Musko drove in three runs for Uniontown. Joey Schumaker had two hits for Ringgold.

Albert Gallatin 6, Laurel Highlands 4 – Dylan Shea homered and Caleb Matzus-Chapman had two hits and three RBIs to lead Albert Gallatin (4-8) to a nonsection win. Kadin Early doubled for Laurel Highlands (12-5).

Ambridge 9, New Brighton 0 – Blake Gibson singled, homered and drove in four runs and Cole Grable and Caison Holland also had two hits to lead Ambridge (4-12) to a nonsection win. Gabe Haddox had two hits for New Brighton (7-10).

Butler 5, Cathedral Prep 1 – David Leslie went 3 for 3 and Colin Patterson singled, doubled and drove in a run for Butler (13-5) in a nonsection win.

Chartiers-Houston 9, Frazier 2 – Jimmy Sadler doubled and tripled and Ryan Parise went 3 for 4 with two RBIs to lead Chartiers-Houston (14-3) to a nonsection win over Frazier (3-11). Jake Mele had two hits and two RBIs.

Chartiers Valley 7, Hopewell 6 – Charlie Caputo had two hits and Garrett Alauzen tripled and drove in a pair to help Chartiers Valley (6-14) to a nonsection win. Chris Mullins and Roman Gill had two RBIs for Hopewell (13-5).

Connellsville 13, Thomas Jefferson 1 – Gage Gillott went 3 for 3 with two doubles and five RBIs and Logan Kemp went 5 for 5 and drove in a pair for Connellsville (9-7, 7-3) in Section 4-5A. McClain Flinn had two hits for Thomas Jefferson (5-9, 4-6).

Eden Christian 4, Avonworth 1 – Jared Bees and Brian Feldman had two hits apiece and David Kelly drove in two runs for Eden Christian (15-4) in a nonsection win. Noah Osborn doubled and drove in a run for Avonworth (12-7).

Fox Chapel 7, Armstrong 6 – Thomas Koch delivered a game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh to power Fox Chapel (11-7) to victory and keep Armstrong (8-10) out of the playoffs. Four Foxes tallied two hits and Tommy Fravel pitched 1.1 innings of relief while allowing one run and three hits.

Franklin Regional 5, North Catholic 0 – Luke Treloar threw a four-hit shutout as Franklin Regional (15-1) bounced back from its first loss of the season with a nonsection win. Thomas Nicely went 2 for 2 and Andrew Muraco tripled. Blake Primrose had a double for North Catholic (13-7).

Highlands 2, Deer Lakes 1 – Jett Slepak delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh as Highlands (12-8) picked up a nonsection victory over Deer Lakes (9-6).

Indiana 17, Forest Hills 7 – Steven Budash doubled, homered and drove in four runs and Gavin Homer had three hits to help Indiana (10-6) to a nonsection win. Brook Williamson and Devin Kreger homered for Forest Hills.

Jefferson-Morgan 18, Monessen 3 – Bryce Bedillion and Ayden Pratt had three RBIs apiece as Jefferson-Morgan (11-5, 8-2) won in Section 2-A. Sonny Thomas and Ben Speicher had two hits for Monessen (1-13, 1-9).

Keystone Oaks 15, Bishop Canevin 0 – Jake Slazinski threw a four-inning no-hitter and went 2 for 3 with a triple to lead Keystone Oaks (7-6) to a nonsection win over Bishop Canevin (4-10). Nate Brestensky, Aiden Schroeder, Mark Hutchin and Greg Wagner had two hits apiece.

Mapletown 16, Hundred (W. Va.) 1 – Brody Evans doubled, tripled twice and drove in four runs for Mapletown (3-9) in a nonsection win. Lance Stevenson, Cohen Stout and A.J. Vanata had three hits apiece.

McGuffey 12, Carrick 2 – Austin Beattie went 3 for 4 and Austin Hall singled, doubled and drove in three runs to lead McGuffey (12-4) to a nonsection win. Alex Mann doubled and drove in a pair for Carrick (7-5).

Mohawk 8, Laurel 5 – J.C. Voss went 2 for 2 with a home run to lead Mohawk (11-7) to a nonsection win. Austin McBridge drove in two runs. Justin Fell had two hits and two RBIs for Laurel (11-7).

Mt. Pleasant 4, Ligonier Valley 3 – Aaron Alakson hit a two-run double in a four-run third inning to lead Mt. Pleasant (6-7) past Ligonier Valley (7-10) in Section 3-3A.

Neshannock 14, Freedom 4 – Matt Nativio had three hits and two RBIs and Patrick Coople and Nate Rynd had two hits and three RBIs to lead Neshannock (12-8) to a nonsection win. Tristan Viscuno doubled and drove in a pair for Freedom (1-15).

North Allegheny 2, Upper St. Clair 0 – Aaron Galaska threw 6.2 innings of shutout ball and Danny Gallon doubled to lead North Allegheny (17-3) to a nonsection win. Mateo Cepullio went 3 for 3 for Upper St. Clair (8-9).

Norwin 8, Gateway 4 – Jayden Walker went 3 for 4 and pitched two scoreless innings as Norwin (13-3) defeated Gateway (7-6) in a nonsection game. Jacob Bazala went 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Brady Kukich was the winning pitcher. Luke Savage got the save.

OLSH 13, Northgate 7 – James Saftner and winning pitcher Brady Brazell had doubles to lead OLSH (12-5) to a nonsection win. Liam Dion and Xavier Nelson doubled for Northgate (5-9).

Penn Hills 10, Knoch 8 – Josh Gerken drove in three runs, hit a home run and pitched six innings, striking out nine, to lead Penn Hills (5-13) to a nonsection win over Knoch (10-9). Jordan Sullivan doubled and drove in three runs for Penn Hills.

Penn-Trafford 3, Mt. Lebanon 2 – Dylan Grabowski’s sacrifice fly in the 12th inning gave Penn-Trafford (12-6) a nonsection win. Jason Sabol, Jakob Haynes and Jacob Otto doubled. Luke Hren and Cortland Peer tripled for Mt. Lebanon (10-7).

Serra Catholic 14, Freeport 5 – Zack Miklos tallied three hits, a double, and four RBIs as Serra Catholic (16-3) earned a nonsection victory. Jackson Smetak hit a two-run home run for Freeport (4-15).

Seton LaSalle 13, Moon 3 – Brian Reed went 3 for 4 with a home run to lead Seton LaSalle (18-1) to a nonsection win over Moon (5-12). Ethan Parker doubled and drove in three runs and Brian Vogel went 2 for 2 with two RBIs.

Sewickley Academy 2, Leechburg 1 – Sewickley Academy (7-5, 6-4) tied the game in the bottom of the seventh and delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth to earn a Section 3-A victory. The teams tied for third in the section. Owen McDermott threw seven innings for Leechburg (7-8, 6-4).

Valley 12, Riverview 2 – Jacob Staraniec had one hit and four RBIs as Valley (12-6) earned a nonsection victory over Riverview (8-6). Valley’s Jacob Demharter struck out five in two innings.

Waynesburg 14, Beth-Center 2 – Tyler Switalski and Logan Higgins had four hits and Lincoln Pack singled, doubled and tripled to lead Waynesburg (5-8) to a nonsection win. Cameron Palmer had two hits and an RBI for Beth-Center (6-11).

West Allegheny 6, Montour 5 – Will Gubba hit a walk-off RBI single to lead West Allegheny (15-3) to a nonsection win. Luke Lambert had two hits. Matt Luchovick had three hits and three RBIs for Montour (13-5).

Softball

Freeport 4, Hampton 1 – Sydney Selker allowed three hits and struck out 12 in a complete game for Freeport (10-6) in a nonsection win over Hampton (7-9). Emily Schmidt homered for Freeport and drove in three.

Hopewell 5, Carlynton 3 – Haley Cook, Jordyn Glumac and Chloe Nale all singled, tripled and drove in a run to lead Hopewell (6-1) past Carlynton (6-9) in a nonsection game.

Jeannette 9, Riverview 7 – Sydnee Tolvinski went 4 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs and Taylor-Lynn Finken went 3 for 3 with three RBIs to lead Jeannette (1-16) to a nonsection win. Savannah Lock also went 4 for 4. Autumn Novello, Frankie Crosby and winning pitcher Sydney Matijevic had three hits. Bri Long doubled and drove in a pair and Lizzy Lekovitch had two hits and two RBIs for Riverview (0-8).

Knoch 3, Burrell – Bailey Rickenbrode threw a complete game five-hitter as Knoch claimed a share of the Section 1-4A title. Katie Armstrong struck out 13 for the Bucs (7-6, 6-4). Taylor Davis and Marissa Melius tallied two hits apiece for Knoch (9-7, 7-3).

Montour 7, Chartiers Valley 2 – Giacinta Labrie singled, doubled and tripled and Bella Magliocco had two hits as Montour (12-5) defeated Chartiers Valley (11-7) in a nonsection game. Angelina LaMarca and Jana Hess had two RBIs each.

Neshannock 9, Union 3 – Kaylee Smith had three hits and three RBIs to lead Neshannock (9-5) to a nonsection win. Aaralyn Nogay and Gabby Perod had two hits and two RBIs. Mallory Gorgacz had two hits for Union (10-7).

North Allegheny 7, Shaler 2 – Kendall Trunzo and Alaina Whipkey homered and Meghan McDonough had three hits for North Allegheny (9-9) in a nonsection win. Cam Murphy and Bethany Rodman doubled for Shaler (11-4).

North Catholic 13, Valley 0 – Liana Morreale tossed a five-inning complete-game one-hitter, striking out 11, as North Catholic (11-4, 9-1) earned a Section 1-3A victory over Valley (5-8, 5-5). Morreale also homered and drove in three runs. Lexi Mannella tripled and drove in two runs.

Peters Township 7, Pine-Richland 3 – Katelyn Stokan blasted a two-run home run during a four-run seventh inning to lead Peters Township (2-13) to a nonsection win. Skylar Lemansky went 4 for 4 with two doubles. Jocelyn Langer tripled and drove in a pair for Pine-Richland (8-8).

Plum 7, Woodland Hills 2; Plum 7, Woodland Hills 3 – Plum (13-3, 11-1) swept a Section 1-5A doubleheader against Woodland Hills (3-10, 3-9). Melnie Mienke struck out 11 and Makenzie Lang homered in each game.

Seneca Valley 1, Fox Chapel 0 – Izzy Roule pitched a complete-game, two-hit shutout as Seneca Valley (11-7) earned a nonsection victory over Fox Chapel (11-6). Mackenzie Borkovich allowed four hits and struck out 11.

Serra Catholic 9, South Allegheny 5 – Olivia Gegerly hit the go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning and Tori Tom doubled, homered and drove in four runs for Serra Catholic (9-4) in a nonsection game. Payton Linhart homered for South Allegheny (11-5).

South Side 17, Cornell 0 – Lily Shychuck went 5 for 5 with eight RBIs as South Side (11-3, 9-1) sewpt Cornell (2-10, 2-8) in a Section 1-A doubleheader. Madi Fischer homered.

Upper St. Clair 11, Mt. Lebanon 7 – Ava Pries doubled twice, homered and drove in three runs to lead Upper St. Clair (3-13) to a nonsection win. Emma Redlinger singled twice, homered and drove in two. Madison Fisher had four hits. Deidre Flaherty and Brooke Boehmer homered for Mt. Lebanon (10-7).

West Greene 9, Bentworth 1 – Winning pitcher Kiley Meek went 3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs and London Whipkey had two hits and two RBIs as West Greene (15-2) defeated Bentworth (5-11) in a nonsection game.

West Mifflin 14, Yough 2 – Winning pitcher Addie Hilligsberg struck out 11 and homered to lead West Mifflin (15-4, 8-4) to a Section 2-4A win. Emily Buchleitner had four hits and four RBIs. Alyssa Schmidt had three hits and Lauren Yuhas doubled three times. Kaylynn Odelli had two hits for Yough (10-5, 7-5).

More Baseball

Westmoreland high school notebook: Franklin Regional baseball player Yarabinetz commits to La Salle
Notable changes to the 2025-26 WPIAL baseball alignment
Lancaster native Andy Hoover takes reins of Gateway baseball program
Belle Vernon pitcher wowed by Kent State baseball program
Fox Chapel’s Blake Krushinski commits to play baseball at West Virginia