Sports

Highlands baseball player Jett Slepak works out during a recent practice.

George Guido: At long last, spring sports are back

March 27, 2021

Something happened Friday that hadn’t happened in 687 days.

Leechburg senior Cam Curfman is back after leading the Blue Devils in hitting in 2019.

Leechburg baseball team’s expectations remain high with new coach

Bill Stoops knows what it’s like to help lead a high school baseball team to the WPIAL playoffs and pick up postseason victories.

Plum’s Vince Citrano wrestles Moon’s Tyler Diggins at the 2020 Allegheny County Tournament.

2021 Valley News Dispatch wrestling all-stars

Cooper Hornack

Leechburg right fielder Skylyn Raypush is one of five seniors on the team this year.

Leechburg softball puts playoff streak on line

No softball team in the WPIAL has built a streak quite like Leechburg’s.

Ligonier Valley’s Mason Seftas takes batting practice on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at the high school.

New league, new team for Ligonier Valley baseball

Ligonier Valley’s return to the WPIAL in baseball began on a triumphant note Friday in the program’s first game back in District 7, a 6-4 decision over Greensburg Salem.

Chartiers Valley’s Perri Page (left) hugs Aislin Malcolm next to Helene Cowan in the final moments of the PIAA Class 5A state championship game against Cardinal O’Hara on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Giant Center in Hershey.

Chartiers Valley held to 27 points in PIAA championship loss to Cardinal O’Hara

HERSHEY — On film, Cardinal O’Hara looked big, strong and physical to Chartiers Valley coach Tim McConnell, so his Colts weren’t surprised by what they ran into at Giant Center.

Burrell’s AJ Corrado works to defeat Carlynton’s Oleg Melnyk at 160 pounds during the WPIAL Class AA individual wrestling finals on Feb. 20, 2021, at Canon-McMillan High School.

Valley News Dispatch wrestler of the year: Burrell’s AJ Corrado

When Burrell senior AJ Corrado first started wrestling in fifth grade, he used to be mesmerized by the state wrestling brackets, often wondering if he’d ever have a chance to stand on top of the PIAA podium one day in Hershey.

Burrell seniors AJ Corrado (right) and Ian Oswalt lift the third-place PIAA team trophy Saturday, March 27, 2021.

Burrell takes 3rd at PIAA team tournament for first time since 2014

Since his seniors were younger, Burrell wrestling coach Josh Shields knew he would have a special team when 2021 came around.

Ligonier Valley second baseman Bella Schueltz works out during practice on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Ligonier.

Ligonier Valley softball wants status quo: Success

Every year, it seems, Ligonier Valley coach Mark Zimmerman appears optimistic about his softball team’s chances for a successful season.

Franklin Regional’s Carter Dibert (left) works to defeat Hempfield’s Ethan Berginc at 126 pounds during the WPIAL Class AAA wrestling championship Feb. 27.

2021 Tribune-Review Westmoreland County wrestling all-stars

Vinny Kilkeary

Mt. Pleasant’s Dayton Pitzer points toward the stands after winning the state championship against Montoursville’s Dylan Bennett in the 215-pound final during the PIAA wrestling championships on March 12.

Tribune-Review Westmoreland Wrestler of the Year: Mt. Pleasant’s Pitzer wastes no time

Mt. Pleasant junior Dayton Pitzer didn’t pin every opponent he faced. It just seemed that way.

The first eaglet of the year to hatch at the Pittsburgh Hays bald eagle nest, March 23, 2021.

Third chick arrives in Hays bald eagle nest

A third eaglet has broken out of its shell in a bald eagle nest in Pittsburgh’s Hays neighborhood.

Waynesburg’s Wyatt Henson pins Seneca Valley’s Teagan Leighty at 145 pounds during the WPIAL Class AAA team championship match on Feb. 13.

2021 Trib HSSN wrestling all-stars

Mac Church

Seneca Valley’s Alejandro Herrara-Rondon holds up three fingers signaling his three PIAA championship wins after defeating Rocco Welsh of Waynesburg during the PIAA wrestling championships March 13.

Trib HSSN Wrestler of the Year: Seneca Valley’s Herrera-Rondon dominates like no other

Early on in Alejandro Herrera-Rondon’s wrestling career at Seneca Valley, he was content to win low-scoring matches.

Plum softball coach Phil DiLonardo expects his team to rely on a balanced offense and competitiveness this season.

Scrappy Plum softball eager to repeat 2019 success

Melanie Mienke was set to take over as the workhorse of Plum’s pitching staff last spring.

Norwin’s Owen Sabol works out in the batting cages in 2019.

Norwin notebook: Former Knights provide boost to Seton Hill baseball, softball

Through eight games, sophomore shortstop and Norwin alum Owen Sabol was hitting .346 with 10 runs and five RBIs for the nationally ranked Seton Hill baseball team.