What to watch for in WPIAL sports on April 22, 2021: Shenango, Laurel fight for 1st place
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Wednesday, April 21, 2021 | 10:40 PM
Shenango and Laurel are neighboring school districts in Lawrence County.
But geography isn’t the only category where these two schools are next to each other.
In the WPIAL Section 4-2A softball standings, the Wildcats and Spartans are tied for first place with 5-1 records.
Plus, in the latest HSSN softball rankings, Shenango is ranked No. 3 and Laurel No. 4 in the Class 2A top 5.
Combined, they are 15-3 overall as the Wildcats have won three straight while the Spartans have won their last five in a row.
On a frigid Thursday, the two meet for a second time this season.
On Mar. 30, Mia Edwards allowed only three hits while striking out 19 as she shut out visiting Laurel in a 4-0 win.
First pitch at Laurel is at 4 p.m.
Double the fun
Two Westmoreland County rivals collide Thursday and Friday in a pair of big contests on the softball diamond and the volleyball court.
Norwin is at Hempfield for a Friday afternoon softball game and a Thursday evening boys volleyball match.
On the diamond, five-time defending district champion Hempfield is 2-2 in Section 2, currently tied for third place in the section with a 5-3 overall record.
Meanwhile, it is Norwin leading the pack. The Knights are in first place with a 3-0 section record, 6-1 overall.
The Knights and Spartans were tri-champions in Section 2-6A along with North Allegheny in 2019. Norwin won both regular season games with Hempfield two years ago.
In boys volleyball, it is Norwin chasing Hempfield in Section 3-AAA.
The Spartans have the only unbeaten section record at 3-0, while the Knights are hot on their heels with a 2-1 section mark.
Baseball make-ups
With temps in the 40s Thursday, there are five section baseball make-up games on the schedule.
The feature contest has Penn-Trafford heading west to battle Gateway.
Looking at the Section 1-5A standings, Gateway is in second place with a 4-1 section record while Penn-Trafford sits in third place with a 3-2 record.
Both teams are looking up at undefeated Franklin Regional (6-0) in the section.
The other make-up section games that may be played include:
• Hempfield at Mt. Lebanon in Section 2-6A
• Woodland Hills at Fox Chapel in Section 2-5A
• Steel Valley at South Park in Section 2-3A
• Deer Lakes at East Allegheny in Section 3-3A
More High School Softball
• Trib 10: Baseball power rankings shaken up despite poor week of weather• Leechburg softball team proud to uphold playoff streak
• Westmoreland County softball notebook: Southmoreland captures elusive section title
• Close games sharpen Greensburg Central Catholic softball for battles ahead
• Trib HSSN softball player of the week for May 1, 2023
