What to watch for in WPIAL sports on April 8, 2025: Class 5A baseball matchups impact section standings

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 12:01 AM

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This week of WPIAL baseball section series began with first place in three of the four sections in Class 5A directly affected by head-to-head matchups.

Those three series and plenty of other continue on a chilly Tuesday.

In Section 1-5A, the week began with Franklin Regional (7-1 overall) and Plum (7-1) tied in the loss column atop the section, one game ahead of defending champion Penn-Trafford (5-4).

The Panthers began the week at 4-0 in the section and the Mustangs were 2-0. They were followed by the Warriors at 3-1.

Franklin Regional does not have any section series matchups this week; however, Plum and Penn-Trafford are clashing twice, with Tuesday’s game slated for the home of the Mustangs at 4 p.m.

On Monday in the series opener, Plum prevailed on the road, 4-1.

In Section 2-5A, the top two teams are going head-to-head when 2024 district runner-up Bethel Park collides with South Fayette.

The Black Hawks and Lions entered this week with 3-1 section records and 6-2 overall marks.

The game Tuesday is at Purkey Field in Bethel Park at 4 p.m.

Finally, the week started in Section 4-5A with three teams sitting at 2-0 in the section after sweeping their section series last week.

Connellsville (6-1), Gateway (5-1) and Thomas Jefferson (4-3) were all 2-0 against Montour, McKeesport and Baldwin respectively.

On Tuesday, the Falcons host the Jaguars at 4 p.m. while the Gators are home to Montour in prime time at 7 p.m.

Connellsville will visit Thomas Jefferson in the series finale Wednesday after Monday’s game was postponed.

A perfect makeup

The Connellsville softball team was slated to visit Bethel Park in a Section 4-5A contest last week, but the game was postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday.

That sets up the perfect makeup.

This will be the section opener for the visiting Falcons, who are off to a 4-0 start.

The Black Hawks have also started the season undefeated, winning all five of their games this season, including a section-opening win last Monday over Peters Township.

The game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.

Meeting in the (South) Park

With the cold temperatures keeping many folks indoors, it’s a perfect day for the one indoor spring sports to shine.

There are plenty of WPIAL boys volleyball matches slated for Tuesday, including one for at least an early share of first place in Section 4-2A.

There is currently a three-way tie for the top spot in the section with Seton LaSalle (1-0, 4-3), South Park (1-0, 2-4) and Thomas Jefferson (1-0, 3-2) having all won their section openers last week.

On Tuesday, Thomas Jefferson visits South Park with the winner staying in first place while Seton LaSalle visits Brentwood (0-2, 2-5).