Sports

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.

Franklin Regional baseball advances to WPIAL semifinals for 1st time since 2001

May 21, 2019

Andrew Muraco changed gloves, then helped Franklin Regional change momentum in the sixth inning.

New Castle celebrates after beating Greensburg Salem on a suspended game in the 11th inningTuesday, May 21, 2019 at North Allegheny High School.

New Castle edges No. 1 Greensburg Salem in 11th inning of WPIAL quarterfinal game

It took two days and two different venues.

Westmoreland softball preview capsules: Games of Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Wednesday’s semifinals

A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Logan Parker and Kelli Galbraith

Logan Parker

Burrell’s Noah Linderman takes on Bethlehem Center’s Tyler Fisher in the 145 pound bout during the WPIAL class AA team wrestling semifinal match on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 at Chartiers-Houston High School.

PIAA board to consider reducing number of weight classes for wrestling

Could the PIAA be reducing the number of weight classes in wrestling?

Leechburg’s McKenna Pierce drives in a run against Jeannette during a WPIAL Class A playoff game Monday, May 20, 2019, at Fox Chapel High School.

Leechburg softball hopes to overcome semifinal hurdle against Union

Leechburg scored runs seemingly at will as it tore through the regular season and won a third consecutive Section 3-A championship, but the Blue Devils saw quickly the difference the playoffs can bring.

George Guido: The 1989 baseball, softball playoffs were wettest on record

Last year was the wettest in the Pittsburgh region’s history.

Freeport starting pitcher Jarrett Heilman throws against Deer Lakes Wednesday May 8, 2019 at Freeport Community Park.

A-K Valley notebook: Freeport’s Heilman nears perfect game

Jarrett Heilman strung together plenty of dominant pitching performances during the regular season, but the junior reached another level in his first postseason start.

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

Freeport baseball set to face Steel Valley in semifinals

BASEBALL

Knoch shortstop Monica Gourley fields a ball hit by Greensburg Salem’s Kayla Gaughan during quarterfinal Monday, May 20, 2019 at Hampton Community Park.

Alle-Kiski Valley softball preview capsules for games of Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Wednesday’s games

Blackhawk’s Hunter Woodward scores past Mt. Pleasant catcher Pete Billey during their WPIAL Class 4A playoff game Monday, May 20, 2019, at Fox Chapel High School.

WPIAL releases baseball semifinal sites

Greensburg Salem and New Castle still need to decide their WPIAL baseball quarterfinal, but the victor already knows its destination.

Yough’s Kaylyn Odelli slides safely into third base under Mt. Pleasant’s Haylie Brunson during their game Monday, April 29, 2019, at Mt. Pleasant Area High School.

Mt. Pleasant makes MaxPreps national rankings

Mt. Pleasant has found its way into the national softball rankings.

Norwin’s Sydney Lokay pitches against Hempfield in the 6th inning on Friday, May 3, 2019 during WPIAL softball at Hempfield Area High School.

WPIAL sets softball semifinals

The WPIAL softball semifinals are set, and so are the game sites.

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.

Serra Catholic tops Avonworth, reaches WPIAL semifinals for 5th straight season

May 20, 2019

Serra Catholic used a combination of small ball and long ball to beat Avonworth, 7-2, in a WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal baseball game Monday at Upper St. Clair.

High school scores, schedules for May 20, 2019

High Schools

Blackhawk’s Raymond Knallay is mobbed by teammates after his walk-off hit defeated Mt. Pleasant, 7-6, in their WPIAL Class 4A playoff game Monday, May 20, 2019, at Fox Chapel High School.

WPIAL baseball playoffs roundup for May 20, 2019: Blackhawk edges Mt. Pleasant in 8th

Ray Knallay’s infield single, his fourth hit of the game, scored Hunter Woodward from third base with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel No. 4 Blackhawk to a thrilling, 7-6 victory against Mt. Pleasant in a WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal baseball game Monday at Fox Chapel.

West Allegheny starting pitcher Angela Costa throws against Plum during quarterfinal Monday, May 20, 2019 at Hampton Community Park.

WPIAL softball playoffs roundup for May 20, 2019: South Park wins on walk-off

Julie Shinavski’s walk-off single scored Chelsea Carozza in the bottom of the seventh inning as No. 3 South Park defeated No. 5 Beaver, 5-4, in a WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal softball game Monday evening at Montour.