What to watch for in WPIAL sports on April 2, 2025: Class 2A softball powers to collide

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 11:35 PM

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We hit midweek with a busy day on the softball diamonds (weather permitting) around the district.

Last season, Neshannock edged out Laurel to win the Section 1-2A softball title by sweeping the head-to-head regular season meetings.

It looked like the two Lawrence County rivals would collide for a third time in the district championship game, but while the Lancers were defeating Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the 2A semifinals, the Spartans lost to Bentworth.

Both Neshannock and Laurel won their first two PIAA softball playoff games, including the Spartans avenging their WPIAL title game loss to the Bearcats, setting up a third showdown in the state semifinals.

Then junior Addy Frye for Neshannock threw a one-hitter and struck out 12, while Miley Anderson scored an unearned run in the first inning that held up as the Lancers remained perfect in beating the Spartans for a third time, 1-0.

Neshannock later completed a third straight state championship run.

On Wednesday, the first of two meeting in the 2025 regular season take place as Neshannock visits Laurel in the Section 1-2A opener for both teams at 5 p.m.

The Lancers are off to a 3-0 start overall and have outscored their three opponents, 22-5.

The Spartans are 3-2 with the offense producing double-digit runs in wins over Ellwood City, New Castle and Mohawk, but scoring eight combined runs in their two losses to Mercer and Beaver.

6A similarities

These are early days in the WPIAL Class 6A softball chase, but things are starting to take shape in a very similar way to how things were in this nine-team classification last spring.

A year ago, the top four seeds in the 6A district playoffs were Hempfield on top at No. 1, Seneca Valley at No. 2, North Allegheny was No. 3 and Pine-Richland No. 4.

Currently, the top four teams are Hempfield (3-0, 7-0), Seneca Valley (2-0, 4-0), Pine-Richland (2-0, 3-0) and North Allegheny (2-1, 3-3).

On Wednesday, two of those teams collide when the defending champion Raiders host the Tigers at 4 p.m.

The Spartans visit Butler (1-3, 1-6) at 4 p.m. while the Rams travel to Norwin (1-2, 1-5) at 4 p.m.

Tennis singles sectionals

The WPIAL prepares for the first championship tournament of the spring sports season Wednesday and Thursday with boys tennis singles sectionals.

Each Class 3A and 2A section will hold tournaments to determine the final field of players for the 2025 WPIAL boys singles tennis championships which begin next Tuesday, April 8.

The top four finishers in each sectional qualify for the district tournament.

Here are the sites for the eight sectional tournaments.

• Section 1-3A at Franklin Regional

• Section 2-3A at North Allegheny

• Section 3-3A at Fox Chapel

• Section 4-3A at Bethel Park

• Section 1-2A at Valley

• Section 2-2A at Keystone Oaks

• Section 3-2A at Nichols Court at Sewickley Academy

• Section 4-2A at Beaver