What to watch for in WPIAL sports on March 26, 2025: Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon to meet on softball diamond

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 8:46 PM

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In 2009, the Hempfield softball team defeated Shaler in the WPIAL 4A championship game, 3-2, to capture the school’s second district softball crown.

A year later, Mt. Lebanon knocked off Shaler in the 2010 district 4A finals, 7-2, earning the school its second softball title.

In the last 13 seasons since those two championship results, the Spartans have won six more WPIAL softball titles, including five straight between 2015-2019,

The Blue Devils are still in search of that elusive third softball gold trophy.

On Wednesday, Hempfield hosts Mt. Lebanon in one of four WPIAL Class 6A softball section contests at 4 p.m.

The Spartans are off to another strong start.

Heading into the 6A opener Wednesday against North Allegheny, Hempfield has wins over 5A powers Penn-Trafford, West Allegheny and Shaler by a combined score of 18-4.

The Blue Devils, who finished in last place a year ago with a 2-17 record, already have two victories this spring.

Following a split of two games at the Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Mt. Lebanon returned and defeated Peters Township in a slugfest last week, 11-9.

Still searching

For the Butler and Norwin softball teams, the new season is a combined eight games old, yet both programs are still searching for a taste of victory in 2025.

On Wednesday afternoon, one of them will quench their winning thirst when the Golden Tornado hosts the Knights at 4 p.m.

Norwin lost nonsection games to Fox Chapel, Latrobe and Baldwin before falling at home to Canon-McMillan in its 6A opener on Monday, 4-1.

Butler is also 0-4 following losses to Fox Chapel, New Castle and Baldwin then being rolled in its 6A opener by Pine-Richland, 18-3.

While the Golden Tornado only won three games last season, the Knights were nearly golden when, as the No. 5 seed, they defeated Pine-Richland in the quarterfinals and top seed Hempfield in the semifinals before falling to Seneca Valley in the 6A championship game in eight innings, 4-3.

Here are the two other 6A section games Wednesday:

• North Allegheny travels to Canon-McMillan at 4:15 p.m.

• Woodland Hills hosts Pine-Richland at 4 p.m.

Black and blue clash

The forecast might be sketchy for diamond sports Wednesday, but the turf should be fine for an early season girls lacrosse showdown in the South Hills.

Two unbeaten teams collide in Section 1-3A when Bethel Park hosts Mt. Lebanon at 7 p.m.

The Black Hawks are off to a 3-0 start after winning only seven matches a year ago and missing the district playoffs.

Bethel Park has convincing wins over North Hills, Trinity and Hempfield by a combined score of 48-4 with two shutouts.

The defending champion Blue Devils are 2-0 with wins over North Allegheny and Fox Chapel by a combined score of 28-10.

This is the section opener for both teams.