What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Friday, May 2, 2025: 6A softball teams jockey for position

By: Don Rebel
Friday, May 2, 2025 | 12:07 AM

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We wrap up the final full week of the diamond regular season with a busy afternoon of WPIAL Class 6A softball.

The six teams have been determined for the upcoming WPIAL playoffs in the highest classification: however, two teams are fighting for first and the four others are battling for position.

Currently, Hempfield is 11-1 and has a one-game lead in the loss column over Seneca Valley at 12-2 for the regular season crown and the top seed in the playoffs.

North Allegheny is alone in third place at 10-5 in the class, one game ahead of Pine-Richland at 9-6.

Canon-McMillan is in fifth place with an 8-7 record in 6A, even in the loss column with 2024 finalist Norwin at 6-7.

On Friday, Hempfield visits Norwin in a rematch of their semifinal stunner last spring won by the Knights over the Spartans. That game begins at 4 p.m.

Canon-McMillan visits Pine-Richland and North Allegheny hosts Mt. Lebanon with both game set for a 4 p.m. start.

Other Friday frays

There are a handful of other WPIAL softball section games with playoff implications slated for Friday.

• In Section 1-5A, third-place Plum at 7-4 in the section hosts New Castle at 5-5. The Red Hurricanes need one more win to clinch a playoff berth.

• In Section 4-5A, playoff-bound teams meet when Connellsville at 6-4 in the section travels to Thomas Jefferson, which is 8-2. The Jaguars can earn at least a share of the section crown with two more section wins.

• In Section 3-4A, a key contest in the battle for fourth place takes place in Industry as Western Beaver at 3-7 hosts North Catholic, which is currently in fourth place at 4-6.

• In Section 3-2A, second-place Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (6-1) hosts third-place Seton LaSalle (5-3).

• In Section 3-A, Jeannette is 7-1 and looking to stay tied for first place when it welcomes Leechburg at 5-3 and trying to clinch a playoff spot for the 38th consecutive season.

Lax playoff implications

In Section 1-2A, Franklin Regional currently sits alone in sixth place with a 5-3 section record.

That is key because the top six teams qualify for the district playoffs.

The Panthers can clinch a postseason berth with a victory Friday, but it won’t be easy.

Franklin Regional visits a desperate Trinity team that is 4-5 in the second and sits in seventh place.

The Hillers need to win out in their final two section matches and hope the Panthers lose at least one of their final two section matches remaining after Friday.

In district girls lacrosse Friday, a pair of top Class 3A teams go head to head with two powers from 2A.

Section 2-2A leader Mars is 12-1 overall as it gets set to host Section 1-3A second-place Mt. Lebanon, which has an overall record of 10-1.

Right behind Mars in Section 2-2A is Chartiers Valley at 9-2 overall as it prepares to visit the team tied for second place in Section 1-3A in Peters Township, which is 8-4 this season.