What to watch for in WPIAL sports on June 5, 2025: Class 5A baseball powers collide in state quarterfinals

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | 5:33 PM

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Eight WPIAL programs have captured multiple PIAA baseball championships.

Two of them are set to collide in the state quarterfinals Thursday.

WPIAL Class 5A champion Shaler (18-6) goes up against Bethel Park (20-5) at Gateway at 3:30 p.m.

The Titans captured state gold two years ago when they outlasted Strath Haven in an eight-inning thriller, 9-8.

Shaler also won a PIAA championship 45 years ago when it defeated Wilkes-Barre Coughlin, 5-2.

Bethel Park began this decade by winning state gold in 2021 and repeating in 2022.

The Black Hawks knocked off Red Land in the 2021 Class 5A state finals, 4-2, and then went back-to-back by blanking Selinsgrove in the 2022 championship game, 5-0.

Bethel Park’s first PIAA crown was 37 years ago when it rolled past Wilson West Lawn in the 1988 state title game, 13-6.

All-time in PIAA postseason games, the Titans are 19-9 and the Black Hawks are 26-11.

The two met once before the in the PIAA playoffs with Shaler edging Bethel Park in a 1999 first-round game, 2-1.

The District 7 champion Titans blanked Conestoga Valley in the opening round Monday, 4-0.

Colby Weber pitched a one-hit shutout with five strikeouts and Troy Leas was 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

The Black Hawks began the state postseason with a rout of District 9 champion DuBois, 15-1 in five innings.

Mike Bruckner had three doubles and four RBIs and Ethan Stanhoff smacked two doubles and drove home five runs in the win.

In the other 5A baseball game involving a WPIAL team, district runner-up Pine-Richland (21-4) goes up against District 3 champion Lampeter-Strasburg (20-5) at Mount Aloysius College at 2 p.m.

Sam Heckert and Austin Cwynar each had two hits to lead the Rams past Central Mountain in the first round, 8-5.

Class 6A baseball

The lone Class 6A baseball team from the WPIAL to participate in the PIAA baseball playoffs is on its way the second round.

District 7 champion Seneca Valley (18-6) will face District 3 runner-up Cedar Cliff (18-6) at Veterans Memorial Field in Altoona at 1 p.m.

The Raiders were impressive in taking care of business on their home field Monday against District 10 champion McDowell.

Leading the way was Ryan Piekatoski, who was 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.

Seneca Valley last reached the state quarterfinals 11 years ago when it shut out DuBois in the 2014 Class 4A playoffs, 8-0.

Class 4A baseball

One thing is for sure: The WPIAL Class 4A baseball champions are not afraid to work overtime.

Indiana has now played four postseason games and three of them have gone beyond the regulation seven innings.

The Little Indians have victories in nine-, 11- and now 12-inning games this playoff season.

On Thursday, Indiana (23-1) rolls up its sleeves and goes back to work when it faces Central Valley (14-11) at Plum at 3:30 p.m.

Two of the three extra-inning playoff wins have been by final scores of 1-0, including the PIAA first-round victory over Bellefonte.

Tim Birch had three hits for the Little Indians, including a double in the 12th inning. He would later score the winning run.

The Warriors made a surprise run to the district semifinals and are now in the state quarterfinals following a win over District 10 champion Cathedral Prep, 3-2.

Cameron Miller had an RBI double for Central Valley.

In the other Class 4A second-round game involving a WPIAL team, Elizabeth Forward (17-4) will challenge District 3 champ East Pennsboro (22-0) at Mount Aloysius College at 11 a.m.

A.J. Grese enjoyed a big game for the Warriors in their 5-3 first-round win over Punxsutawney.

Grese was 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs.

Class 3A baseball

The WPIAL is guaranteed to have a team in the state finals after all four qualifiers in Class 3A were winners in the opening round.

WPIAL champion Riverside (18-2) will face Section 1-3A foe Mohawk (13-11) at Seneca Valley at 11 a.m.

Panthers senior Zach Hare is expected to start and brings a lengthy no-hit streak to the mound. The Slippery Rock commit has not allowed a hit in his last 24⅓ innings pitched, including a perfect game in the Class 3A title game win over Quaker Valley.

The Warriors upended District 10 champion Titusville on Monday as Jackson Chapman had two doubles for the offense and Bobby Fadden picked up the win on the mound.

In their section series played April 9 and 11, Riverside swept Mohawk by scores of 8-2 and 8-0.

In the other Class 3A quarterfinals between District 7 teams, Quaker Valley (16-7) collides with South Park (16-7) at Plum at 1 p.m.

The Quakers may have gone without a hit in losing the 3A title game to Riverside, but their offense exploded in a major way in the first round of the state playoffs.

Todd Kagle had a monster game for QV, going 3 for 4 with two home runs and nine RBIs in a 22-6 rout of Bedford.

Cooper Hochendoner was the winning pitcher and drove in a run Monday as South Park held on to eliminate District 6 winner Forest Hills, 5-3.

Class 2A baseball

With OLSH and Riverview losing, only WPIAL champion Freedom remains in the Class 2A baseball field.

The Bulldogs needed a big comeback to win and advance Monday.

Now Freedom (16-7) will take on District 9 champ Redbank Valley (15-7) in a battle of the Bulldogs at Jack Critchfield Park at Slippery Rock University at 11 a.m.

The Beaver County Bulldogs trailed Bishop McCort in the opener, 3-0 after a half-inning, before scratching their way back with five unanswered runs.

Mason O’Donnell had an RBI triple for Freedom.

The D-9 Bulldogs needed 12 innings to eliminate Greenville on Monday, 8-7.

Class A baseball

For the fourth straight year, Serra Catholic was one and done in the PIAA playoffs.

The Eagles were the only WPIAL baseball champion not to survive the first round, knocked out by the District 9 runner-up Bobcats.

Now Clarion (15-6) will try to eliminate another District 7 power when it goes up against Greensburg Central Catholic (18-4) at Slippery Rock University at 2 p.m.

Ian Shipley had three hits, two triples and three RBIs as the Centurions won a wild one against West Middlesex in eight innings, 12-9.

In the other Class A baseball game involving a WPIAL team, Eden Christian Academy (17-5) will face District 6 winner Homer-Center (20-5) at Gateway at 1 p.m.

Noah Emswiller powered the Warriors in the first round with two hits, a home run and three RBIs in a 3-0 win over DuBois Central Catholic.

The D-6 Wildcats also pitched a shutout as they blanked Carmichaels in the opening round, 10-0.

Class 6A softball

It wasn’t easy, but the WPIAL champions and the lone district reps in Class 6A are moving on to the quarterfinals.

Hempfield (22-1) will face District 3 runner-up Chambersburg (19-5) on Thursday at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber at 4 p.m.

In the opener, Lauren Howard had two hits and an RBI and Riley Miller threw a two-hitter as the Spartans edged District 6 winner State College, 2-1.

The Trojans were also in a tight first round contest as they beat Avon Grove, 3-1.

Class 5A softball

In seven previous seasons of the PIAA Class 5A playoffs, the WPIAL has had two teams go the distance and win gold.

Thomas Jefferson won it all last year and Penn-Trafford captured state gold in 2019.

Following a loss to Shaler in the district finals, the Warriors are now on the hunt for a second PIAA crown.

Step two this spring comes Thursday when Penn-Trafford (21-3) battles District 3 champion Red Land (20-3) at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber at 2 p.m.

The Warriors’ first step was a close victory over District 6 winner Central Mountain on Monday, 3-2.

Giulianna Youngo had an RBI double for P-T.

The Patriots eliminated North Hills earlier this week, 8-1.

In the other 5A softball game involving a WPIAL team, West Allegheny (17-5) will take on Twin Valley (21-5) from District 3 at Everett Elementary School at 2 p.m.

Savannah Benish smacked two home runs and drove in four as the Indians defeated Solanco in the first round, 10-4.

The Raiders finished as the No. 4 seed out of D-3, but stunned WPIAL champion Shaler in the opening round, 4-3.

Class 4A softball

To go deep into any postseason, it takes talent, a little luck and some unexpected heroes to help pave the way.

WPIAL champion Hampton got another strong pitching performance from Melissa Snyder, plus a walk-off home run from No. 9 hitter Ashley Schick, as the Talbots blanked Punxsutawney, 1-0.

Now Hampton (18-4) moves into the quarterfinals Thursday to meet District 10 champ Fort LeBoeuf (18-3) at Allegheny College at noon.

The Bison are coming off a wild victory over Elizabeth Forward in the state opener, 10-6.

WPIAL runner-up Blackhawk (15-6) will challenge District 3 winner Kennard-Dale (23-2) at Everett Elementary School at 4 p.m. in the other western quarterfinal.

Addy Ramer was 2 for 3 with a home run to lead the Cougars past District 6 winner Bellefonte in the first round, 9-3.

Class 2A softball

The two WPIAL 2A finalists both advanced to the quarterfinals by taking two very different paths in opening round wins.

Neshannock broke its own record for the longest softball winning streak in WPIAL history when it crushed Sharpsville in five innings, 10-0.

That victory gave the Lancers 49 consecutive wins.

Addy Frye did it with her arm, allowing three hits while striking out seven, and she did it with her bat with a double and a two-run homer in the first inning.

Now Neshannock (23-0) tries to make it 50 straight wins when it takes on District 5 winner Chestnut Ridge (16-6) at Norwin at 11 a.m.

The Lions also are coming off a first-round shutout when they blanked Redbank Valley, 4-0.

WPIAL runner-up Chartiers-Houston needed its rally caps Monday to advance to the second round.

Ella Richey hit a grand slam as part of a five-run rally in the top of the seventh inning as the Buccaneers won at Cranberry, 5-2.

Now Chartiers-Houston (21-2) will battle District 10 champion Seneca (21-1) at Slippery Rock University at noon.

The Bobcats eliminated Riverside in the opening round of the PIAA postseason, 7-2.

Class A softball

Union senior Mia Pruehs has not been very giving lately.

In four WPIAL and PIAA playoff games, Pruehs has thrown three no-hitters, has only allowed one hit and has registered 49 strikeouts.

Her latest no-no was Monday when Union cruised past Purchase Line, 12-0.

She not only struck out 13 batters in six innings, but she also helped the Scotties with her bat by going 2 for 3 with a double and a home run.

Union (20-2) is the only WPIAL team left standing heading into a quarterfinal matchup against DuBois Central Catholic (12-10) at Slippery Rock University at 2 p.m.

The District 9 champion Cardinals squeaked by Juniata Valley in the opening round, 4-3.