Westmoreland H.S. lookahead: Week of April 9-14

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, April 8, 2018 | 6:57 PM

Highlights of the week ahead in Westmoreland high school sports:

MONDAY

Baseball

With the season stuck in park for almost two weeks, many local teams are beginning to get outside again as fields become playable — OK, passable.

• Section 2-6A is expected to be a tight race, and two of the better teams will meet in North Huntingdon as Hempfield visits Norwin.

• Returning WPIAL and PIAA champion Latrobe is at Gateway in a game to watch in Section 3-5A.

• Defending WPIAL Class A champ Jeannette is home to Monessen in Section 2-A.

Softball

Two notable games in Section 1-5A have Kiski Area at Greensburg Salem, and Penn-Trafford at Franklin Regional.

• Hempfield is home to Penn Hills. The Spartans have 43 won straight games — 15 in a row at home. Norwin, meanwhile, hosts Fox Chapel in Section 2-6A.

• Mt. Pleasant hosts Knoch in Section 1-4A. The teams were section co-champions last season.

Girls lacrosse

Yough hosts Franklin Regional in a local matchup.

Honors

Some of the top female athletes and teams in the county will be recognized at the annual YWCA Sportswomen of the Year awards at Ramada Inn in Greensburg.

TUESDAY

Boys volleyball

Two of the top-ranked teams in WPIAL Class AAA meet as Penn-Trafford travels to Latrobe in Section 3.

Baseball

Derry travels to Freeport in Section 1-4A.

Softball

Franklin Regional heads to Monroeville to face Gateway in Section 1-5A.

Track and field

In Section 1-AAA, Greensburg Salem is at Norwin, and Hempfield visits Penn-Trafford.

• In Section 5-AAA, Franklin Regional hosts Plum, and Section 4-AA meets have Derry at Greensburg Central Catholic, and Monessen at Southmoreland.

Boys lacrosse

Latrobe at Norwin is a top local match.

WEDNESDAY

Baseball

Section 2-6A has a pair of quality games in Norwin at Plum, and Penn-Trafford at Hempfield.

• Latrobe hosts McKeesport for a night game in Section 3-5A.

Softball

Norwin at Hempfield could have a playoff feel in Section 2-6A. Other key games in the area include Kiski Area at Penn-Trafford, Mt. Pleasant at Derry, Greensburg Central Catholic at Shady Side Academy, and Leechburg at Jeannette.

Girls lacrosse

Latrobe at Norwin is an interesting match in Section 2-AAA.

Recruiting

Wednesday marks the start of the regular NCAA signing period for all sports other than football, soccer and men's water polo. It also starts the regular period for basketball.

THURSDAY

Softball

Franklin Regional visits Greensburg Salem, and Greensburg Central Catholic is home to Springdale.

FRIDAY

Baseball

Plum at Hempfield could be a pitchers' paradise in Section 2-6A, and other top games include Latrobe at Laurel Highlands (3-5A), Deer Lakes at Greensburg Salem (1-4A), and Freeport at Yough (1-4A).

• Ligonier Valley plays Greensburg Central Catholic in a night game at Hempfield Park.

Softball

A rematch of last year's WPIAL 4A championship game Yough visiting Belle Vernon.

• Other area games to watch include: Franklin Regional at Plum, Penn-Trafford at Greensburg Salem, and Apollo-Ridge at GCC.

• Hempfield was scheduled to play at Latrobe in another WPIAL finals rematch, but that game has been moved to April 23.

Track and field

The annual Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational, a staple in the Westmoreland spring sports scene, is at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

• Cal (Pa.) will host the California Carnival meet.

SATURDAY

Baseball

Nonsection games to keep an eye on include Hempfield at North Allegheny (6:30 p.m. start), and Valley at Greensburg Salem (noon).

Track and field

The Tri-State Track Coaches Association meet will be at West Mifflin. It is the first big-stage meet of the young season for top athletes.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield Area, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Yough