What to watch for in WPIAL sports on May 15, 2025: 5 games suspended, postponed Wednesday try it again

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 12:27 AM

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Mother Nature has registered some victories this week, with her handiwork showing Thursday.

The reboot button pressed Tuesday kicks into gear two days later as the WPIAL baseball and softball teams in Class 3A, 2A and A finally begin their postseasons after rain wiped out their earlier attempts.

On Wednesday, three 5A baseball games and two 4A softball contests were wiped away and rescheduled for Thursday.

In Class 5A baseball, defending champion and No. 6 seed Penn-Trafford (14-6) will complete a suspended game with No. 11 Connellsville (13-5) at Norwin at noon.

In another game suspended by rain Wednesday, No. 10 Baldwin (9-7) and No. 7 Peters Township (13-7) will resume their contest in the bottom of the second inning with the Highlanders leading the Indians, 1-0. The game will finish at McDowell Field in Canonsburg at 2 p.m.

Once that game ends, the final 5A baseball first-round contest will be played as No. 4 Bethel Park (16-4) squares off with No. 12 Franklin Regional (10-8) in a rematch of the 2021 5A title game.

In softball, two Class 4A games didn’t survive the midweek passing storms and will be played Thursday.

No. 2 Hampton (14-4) will go up against No. 7 Indiana (10-10) in the completion of a suspended game at Norwin at noon.

No. 4 West Mifflin (14-6) will play No. 5 Blackhawk (12-5) at North Allegheny at 1 p.m.

Longshot champs

Two district baseball teams are going for a three-peat this spring, Seton LaSalle in 3A and Bishop Canevin in A.

The Rebels captured back-to-back gold in 2A but moved up in class this spring.

If Seton LaSalle were to capture a third straight championship, it would do so in shocking fashion.

The Rebels are the No. 14 seed in the 18-team bracket, a longshot to even reach the final four, yet alone raise gold.

Seton LaSalle finished tied for second place with Charleroi in Section 4-3A with an overall record of 10-6. The Rebels have won a season-high five games in a row.

They face a stiff challenge in No. 3 Ellwood City.

The Wolverines finished in second place in Section 1-3A with a final record of 14-5.

Ellwood City ended up in second place, only one game behind Riverside with a victory over the Panthers earlier this spring. They had a six-game winning streak snapped with a season-finale loss to Montour.

The teams meet under the lights at North Allegheny at 7 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

Elsewhere in the seven other opening-round 3A games:

• Top-seeded Riverside (13-2) looks to avoid the major upset when it faces preliminary round winner Shady Side Academy (8-13) at Seneca Valley at 6 p.m.

• No. 8 Burrell (12-8) faces No. 9 Charleroi (10-6) at Gateway at 3 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• No. 4 Waynesburg (15-3) plays No. 13 Freeport (13-6) at Gateway at 5:30 p.m.

• No. 12 Mt. Pleasant (11-6) challenges South Park (12-6) at Gateway at 8 p.m. on Trib HSSN.

• Defending 3A champion and second seed Avonworth will play pigtail game victor No. 15 Keystone Oaks (9-9) at Fox Chapel at 4:30 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• No. 7 Quaker Valley (12-6) battles No. 10 Ligonier Valley (10-7) at Fox Chapel at 2 p.m.

• No. 6 Deer Lakes (9-6) squares off with No. 11 Mohawk (10-9) at North Allegheny at 4 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

Beaver County proud

There are three Beaver County teams in action in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A baseball playoffs Thursday, and two of them go head to head against each other.

No. 7 South Side will face No. 10 New Brighton at Matulevic Field in Shaler at 4:30 p.m.

The Rams finished 10-6 this season and tied for second place in Section 3-2A with Riverview, two games behind section winner Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

South Side finished the season strong, winning four of its last five games.

The Lions ended the campaign with a record of 9-8 and finished tied for fourth place in a tough Section 1-2A.

New Brighton enters the playoffs on a three-game losing skid, having scored a total of three runs in those losses.

The two were scheduled to play each other in a nonsection game last month, but it was postponed due to weather.

Here are the other four first-round 2A games:

• The other Beaver County team is No. 8 Freedom (11-8), which takes on No. 9 Apollo-Ridge (8-6) at Plum at 7:30 p.m.

• No. 4 Shenango (14-5) will face No. 13 Chartiers-Houston (7-9) at Burkett Park in Robinson Township at 4 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• No. 5 Fort Cherry (13-5) goes up against No. 12 Laurel (8-10) at Hardy Park in Brighton Township at 3 p.m.

• No. 6 Riverview (12-6) will battle No. 11 California (8-9) at Norwin at 4:30 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

No bye for you

It was a bit of a mystery when the baseball brackets came out Friday and there were three first-round byes and none went to the defending two-time champions.

As mentioned, Bishop Canevin is trying to win three district crowns in a row this postseason.

The Crusaders finished in a tie with Serra Catholic and Eden Christian Academy for the Section 3-A title, yet when the brackets came out, Serra, Eden and Leechburg were awarded the three byes.

Bishop Canevin is the No. 4 seed and must play in the opening round against No. 13 Rochester at Burkett Park in Robinson Township at 6:30 p.m.

The Crusaders are 10-6 overall and have won five of their last seven games.

The Rams are 9-7 after finishing tied for fourth place with Union in Section 2-A. They have won three straight and also have been victorious in five of their last seven games.

Here are the other four Class A opening-round contests:

• No. 8 Jefferson-Morgan (13-3) will face No. 9 Winchester Thurston (11-6) at Norwin at 2 p.m. It is the first baseball playoff game for the Bears program.

• No. 5 Greensburg Central Catholic (15-2) faces No. 12 Sewickley Academy (5-12) at Plum at 5 p.m.

• No. 7 Western Beaver (14-4) battles No. 10 Avella (10-7) at the Boyce-Mayview Complex in Upper St. Clair at 3 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• No. 6 Carmichaels (12-4) looks to eliminate No. 11 Union (7-9) at the Boyce-Mayview Complex in Upper St. Clair at 5:30 p.m.

Celebrate the Deer

Ten years ago, the Deer Lakes softball team captured its second WPIAL championship in four years.

The Lancers celebrate that anniversary beginning a quest for the program’s third district title.

The first step is Thursday with a 3A first-round contest against Charleroi at Norwin at 5 p.m.

The Lancers lost their first five games, fell in their final three contests and ended up going 7-13 as they finished tied for third place in Section 1-3A.

The Cougars, meanwhile, won five of their last seven games to finish in third place in Section 3-3A with an overall record of 9-8.

The winner will advance to the 3A quarterfinals to face top-seeded and undefeated South Park.

In the other three 3A opening-round softball contests:

• No. 5 Mt. Pleasant (12-5) goes up against No. 12 Keystone Oaks (8-8) at Waynesburg University at 5 p.m.

• No. 7 Southmoreland (9-7) will battle No. 10 Hopewell (11-7) at Trinity at 7 p.m.

• No. 6 McGuffey (10-5) will take on No. 11 Ligonier Valley (5-10) at West Mifflin at 5 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

Houston, we have a problem

Some might feel that the Apollo-Ridge softball team is fresh for the postseason.

Others might be concerned the Vikings risk being rusty.

In a span of 18 days between April 28 and May 15, the Vikings will have played one game, a 7-5 loss to Highlands on May 8.

The team won its final three Section 2-2A games via forfeit.

Now No. 8 Apollo-Ridge begins the postseason as the section runner-up when it plays No. 9 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (9-6) at Fox Chapel at 3 p.m.

The Chargers finished tied for second place in Section 3-2A with Seton LaSalle.

OLSH lost its last two regular season games to finish 9-6 overall.

Elsewhere in a full slate of Class 2A softball openers:

• Top seed and three-time defending champion Neshannock (18-0) will play No. 16 Burgettstown (7-9) at North Allegheny at 3 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• No. 4 Frazier (13-3) will be challenged by No. 12 Shenango (10-8) at Fox Chapel at 5 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• No. 5 South Allegheny (14-3) goes up against 2024 runner-up Bentworth (8-9) at West Mifflin at 3 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• No. 2 Chartiers-Houston (17-1) faces No. 15 Brentwood (6-8) at Pleasant Valley Elementary in Peters Township at 4 p.m.

• No. 10 Brownsville (11-5) battles No. 7 Seton LaSalle (10-5) at Trinity at 5 p.m.

• No. 3 Laurel (14-4) squares off with No. 14 Northgate (10-7) at North Allegheny at 7 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• No. 11 Riverside (7-8) tries to upset No. 6 Waynesburg (11-6) at North Allegheny at 5 p.m.

38 and counting

One of the longest current playoff streaks in WPIAL sports is the Leechburg softball team.

By finishing in a three-way tie for third place in Section 3-A, the Blue Devils qualified for the softball playoffs for a 38th consecutive season.

Leechburg was .500 overall during the regular season with an 8-8 record.

As the No. 11 seed, Leechburg will play No. 6 South Side in the first round of the Class A playoffs at Montour at 5 p.m.

While the Blue Devils lost three of their last four, the Rams were hot down the stretch, winning five consecutive games to finish tied for second place in Section 1-A with Sewickley Academy, three games behind top-seeded Union.

South Side enters the game with a 10-7 record.

The winner will play No. 3 West Greene in the upcoming quarterfinals.

Here are the other four Class A first-round contests:

• No. 8 Jeannette (12-4) battles No. 9 Avella (5-10) at Pleasant Valley Elementary in Peters Township at 6 p.m.

• No 4. Sewickley Academy (10-5) goes up against No. 13 Monessen (6-8) at Norwin at 3 p.m.

• No. 12 Greensburg Central Catholic (6-6) tries to pull off the surprise of No. 5 Jefferson-Morgan (8-6) at Waynesburg University at 3 p.m.

• No. 7 Serra Catholic (12-5) goes up against No. 10 Cornell (7-7) at Montour at 3 p.m.

Day 4 of the lax playoffs

The district lacrosse playoffs are set to conclude the first week of the postseason Thursday with quarterfinals in girls 3A and boys 2A.

The two most decorated WPIAL girls lacrosse programs are set to do battle in the second round when No. 3 Mt. Lebanon (12-3) welcomes No. 6 Peters Township (14-5) at 7 p.m.

The Blue Devils, who had a first-round bye, have won the most WPIAL girls lacrosse championships with six, including their latest last spring.

The second of those six championships for Lebo came 20 years ago in 2005.

The Indians are second on that list with five, but all five came in a seven-year stretch from 2007-2013.

Peters defeated North Allegheny in the first round, 15-9.

Last month, Mt. Lebanon rolled past Peters Township in a Section 1-3A match, 17-5.

The other three 3A girls second-round matches are:

• Top-seeded Pine-Richland (16-2) hosting No. 8 Shady Side Academy (7-8) at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs defeated Bethel Park in Round 1, 13-8. The Rams, who had a bye in the opening round, defeated SSA earlier this season, 13-3.

• No. 12 Norwin (8-9) looks to continue its surprising playoff run when it visits No. 4 Moon (12-4) at 7 p.m. The Knights stunned Fox Chapel in the opening round, 11-10 in overtime.

• No. 2 Upper St. Clair (16-1) is home to No. 7 Penn-Trafford (13-6) at 7:30 p.m. The Warriors beat Butler in the first round, 10-7. The Panthers, coming off a first-round bye, defeated P-T in the regular season, 16-7.

In boys 2A, two section rivals are set to collide for a second time this season when No. 4 Peters Township (10-6) welcomes No. 12 Chartiers Valley (7-10) at 7 p.m.

It was just over a week ago when the Indians knocked off the Colts in a Section 1-2A matchup, 8-4.

PT finished in second place behind South Fayette in the section while CV beat out Trinity and Latrobe for the final playoff spot.

While Peters Township earned a first-round bye, Chartiers Valley was upsetting No. 5 Sewickley Academy in the first round, 7-4

Here are the other three quarterfinals in boys 2A:

• Top-seeded South Fayette (17-0) is home to face No. 9 Indiana (9-8) at 7 p.m. While the unbeaten Lions had a bye, the Little Indians shut down Franklin Regional in a first-round win, 6-3.

• No. 2 Mars (15-2) will battle visiting No. 7 Bethel Park (12-7) at 7 p.m. The eight-time defending champion Fightin’ Planets had an opening-round bye as the Black Hawks were eliminating Quaker Valley, 12-10.

• No. 3 Hampton (14-3) will host No. 6 Penn-Trafford (13-6) at 6 p.m. The Talbots earned a free ticket to the quarterfinals while the Warriors earned their way with a victory over Shaler, 13-8.

Hardcourt quarters

Eight quarterfinals are set for Thursday in the WPIAL boys volleyball postseason.

In Class 3A, it has been nearly 10 years since somebody not named Shaler or North Allegheny won the 3A boys volleyball district crown.

Penn-Trafford captured gold back in 2016.

The Warriors are alive and well after beating Peters Township in the first round, 3-0.

Now No. 6 Penn-Trafford (11-6) visits No. 3 Latrobe (16-1) on Thursday at 7 p.m.

In the first round, the Wildcats were winners over North Hills, 3-0.

Latrobe swept the Section 2-3A series from Penn-Trafford, winning 3-2 and 3-0.

Here are the other three 3A second-round matches, all set for a start of 7 p.m.

• Top-seeded North Allegheny (12-1) will host No. 8 Mt. Lebanon (14-1) with audio on Trib HSSN. The Tigers earned a first-round bye while the Blue Devils knocked off Gateway, 3-1.

• No. 5 Pine-Richland (10-5) will visit No. 4 Hempfield (12-4). In the opening round of the playoffs, the Rams swept past Baldwin, 3-0, while the Spartans defeated Upper St. Clair, 3-1.

• No. 2 Seneca Valley (12-3) welcomes No. 7 Canon-McMillan (15-2). The Big Macs ousted Central Catholic in the opening round, 3-1, while the Raiders enjoyed an opening-round bye.

In Class 2A, it was a rough first round for Section 1-2A, as all three playoffs teams, Derry, Deer Lakes and McKeesport, were bounced.

Meanwhile, Section 2, with Shaler, North Catholic and Mars, along with all three teams from Section 4, with Ambridge, South Fayette and Hopewell, are alive heading into the second round.

The lineup for the four 2A quarterfinals matches includes:

• No. 1 Shaler (13-1) playing host to No. 9 Hopewell (10-8). The two-time champion Titans had a first-round bye and the Vikings knocked off Derry, 3-1.

• No. 5 South Fayette (14-4) travels to No. 4 North Catholic (9-5) in a battle of second-place finishers. The Lions in Round 1 rolled past McKeesport, 3-0, while the Trojans had a bye.

• No. 2 Ambridge (13-1) is home to No. 7 Thomas Jefferson (10-6). The Bridgers enjoyed a bye in the first round as the Jaguars defeated Deer Lakes, 3-0.

• No. 6 Mars (9-10) will visit No. 3 Seton LaSalle (16-3). The Fightin’ Planets earned a spot in the second round with a win over South Park, 3-0, while the Rebels won the Section 3-2A title to earn an opening-round bye.