Sports

Mt. Pleasant rallies past James Buchanan, advances to PIAA semifinals

June 6, 2019

CRESSON — Mt. Pleasant’s softball team dug an early hole in Thursday’s PIAA Class 4A quarterfinal.

Brennan powers Serra Catholic past Neshannock in PIAA quarterfinals

With teams intentionally walking standout catcher Mark Black regularly in the playoffs, Serra Catholic baseball coach Brian Dzurenda decided to move him from third in the order to the leadoff spot, which put Pat Brennan in Black’s old spot.

Penn Trafford celebrates Brooke Clelands’ two-run home run against West Allegheny during PIAA 5A softball quarterfinals Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Peters Township High School.

Penn-Trafford softball tops WPIAL champ West A to advance in PIAA playoffs

When Penn-Trafford learned its PIAA quarterfinal opponent after a Class 5A first-round victory earlier this week, the players were giddy.

Franklin Regional baseball eliminated in PIAA quarterfinals

GREENE TOWNSHIP — Franklin Regional’s dream baseball season came to an end in the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal round as it lost to Lampeter-Strasburg, 7-2, at Greene Township Park in Scotland on Thursday.

Frazier shortstop Emi Curcio and left fielder Haley Somers come together on a short fly ball against Chartiers-Houston in the PIAA quarterfinals June 6, 2019, at Peters Township. Somers made the catch.

PIAA baseball, softball playoffs roundup for June 6, 2019: Frazier edges Chartiers-Houston

Savannah Berklovich knocked in two runs, and Logan Hartman scattered five hits to lead WPIAL runner-up Frazier to a 4-3 victory over Chartiers-Houston in a PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal softball game Thursday at Peters Township High School.

Beaver offense again shines in PIAA quarterfinal win over New Castle

The Beaver Bobcats couldn’t have picked a better time to put their offense in high gear.

Franklin Regional’s Palmer Jackson wins AJGA Memorial

Before Franklin Regional senior Palmer Jackson went to bed Wednesday night, he had a feeling Thursday would be a good day.

Seton LaSalle’s Drew Lafferty bats against Laurel in the PIAA quarterfinals June 6, 2019, at Shaler.

Lafferty fans 12 as Seton LaSalle edges Laurel in PIAA quarterfinals

Seton LaSalle freshman Drew Lafferty is not a big strikeout pitcher. Entering the Rebels’ PIAA quarterfinal game against Laurel, he had 44 punch outs in just over 42 innings pitched.

Freeport’s Jarrett Heilman acknowledges the bench after a double against Franklin during PIAA playoff action Monday, June 3, 2019 at Slippery Rock University.

A-K Valley notebook: Freeport’s Heilman to compete in Big 26 Classic

Jarrett Heilman, who helped the Freeport baseball team capture the Section 1-3A championship and qualify for the PIAA playoffs for the first time in 21 years, will represent the WPIAL on the Pennsylvania team for the Big 26 Baseball Classic on July 25-28, in Harrisburg.

Union Area’s Halaena Blakley scores behind Leechburg Area’s Kristen Knapp in the first inning during WPIAL A girls softball semifinals Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at Hampton Coummnity Park.

Expectations to remain high for Leechburg softball program

Even though expectations are always high for Leechburg softball, coach Debbi Young had her own expectations exceeded this year.

Hempfield’s Laura Fox scores during the sixth inning of a PIAA Class 6A quarterfinal against McDowell.

Hempfield blanks McDowell, reaches PIAA semifinals for 5th straight season

The home plate umpire might have forced Hempfield pitcher Callie Sowers to give up her good luck charm, but the Spartans were reluctant to throw in the towel.

Never Fear’s Terry Smith avoids Different’s Battle Creek during the NFBD All Star game Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Couples Stadium.

Penn Hills players enjoy chance to take field together a final time at NFBD all-star game

A majority of the seniors from the Penn Hills football who helped win a state championship for the first time since 1995 got to play together for one final time.

Hempfield’s Callie Sowers triples under North Allegheny’s Kristen Chomos during the WPIAL Class 6A championship game Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Peters Township High School.

Postseason losses a ‘learning experience’ for North Allegheny softball team

Two bumps to end the season didn’t spell doom for first-year North Allegheny softball coach Morgan Vescovi.

Shaler’s Grant Newland (29) and Trapper Crain (5) compete against Pine-Richland March 26, 2019 at Shaler.

Shaler volleyball hopes to continue growing after reaching PIAA playoffs

Trapper Crain would like, if possible, to give up his role as an outside hitter for the Shaler Area boys volleyball team.

North Hills’ Lirion Murtezi (Center) holds the Big 33 trophy with teammates.

North Hills’ Murtezi honored to compete in Big 33 Football Classic

Former North Hills football player Lirion Murtezi put an exclamation point on his impressive high school football career May 27 when he suited up for the 62nd annual Big 33 Football Classic at Landis Field at Speed Ebersole Stadium.

Despite no 3-peat, Hampton girls lacrosse proud of another strong season

Often times, great programs are unhappy with results other programs would call a milestone. But Hampton girls lacrosse, though disappointed in its WPIAL silver medal, is keeping things in perspective after its 15-12 loss to Oakland Catholic in the final.

Hampton’s Brandon Stephany (3) looks to get by Freeport’s Luke Miller (26) April 30, 2019 at Hampton.

Hampton boys lacrosse reaches program milestone at state tournament

In one snapshot, it was the same story for the Hampton boys lacrosse team. But in the big picture, the team went further than any before it.

Gateway Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2019 announced

Katrina Streiner won a pair of WPIAL swimming championships in the 50-yard freestyle, added one in the 100 freestyle and was a PIAA medalist during her Gateway career.