Knights baseball sweeps Spartans

Norwin baseball opened the Class 6A Section 2 slate in impressive fashion last week, as the Knights claimed a three-game sweep against rival Hempfield Area. Last Monday, Norwin prevailed on the road 6-5, followed with a 6-3 home triumph the next day, and finished off the sweep with a 3-2 victory at Hempfield on Thursday. In the first contest, the Knights took a 6-0 lead in the third inning, and fended off the Spartans rally. Zane Markovitz went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, while Matt O’Neil earned the win on the hill, allowing just three hits while striking out eight. The next day, Caden Sivrich was at the forefront for the Knights, as he picked up the W with five scoreless innings while striking out 10 batters, and he added a three-run homer. Derek Berger smacked another three-run homer for the Knights, going 2-for-2. In the series finale, Jake Knight earned the win by working 5.1 innings in his first varsity start, while Berger produced two RBIs and Tristyn Tavares had two hits. As a result, Norwin moved to 5-1 overall, including 3-0 in the section, while Hempfield Area tumbled to 2-5 and 0-3.

Hempfield softball wins championship rematch

Hempfield Area softball continued its winning ways last week, including prevailing in the WPIAL Class 6A Championship rematch against Seneca Valley. Last Monday, the Spartans notched a 5-2 win on the road against the Raiders. Hempfield’s Julia Varhola racked up nine strikeouts in the win, while Emily Bozek and Claire Mitchell each singled and doubled for the Spartans. On Thursday, the homestanding Spartans claimed a 10-0 victory in five innings against Mount Lebanon. Against the Blue Devils, Varhola worked four innings, allowing just three hits while striking out 10. Offensively, Ella Berkebile produced a couple of hits and two RBIs. As a result, Hempfield Area is 5-1 overall, including 3-0 in Class 6A Section 1.

Spena recognized for PT volleyball

A trio of Westmoreland County boys teams ascended in the latest Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association rankings, while the local team that held steady had a player recognized. Penn-Trafford senior Billy Spena, a setter, was named one of the Class 3A Players of the Week. His Warriors remained at ninth in the Class 3A rankings, while Norwin moved up a spot to sixth, and Hempfield Area bumped up two spots to eighth. Meanwhile in Class 2A, Derry Area climbed from eighth to sixth. North Allegheny and Shaler Area kept the top spots in 3A and 2A, respectively.

Seton Hill wrestling trio earns All-PSAC honors

Three standouts for the Seton Hill University wrestling team were recognized as all-conference performers last week. Mike Zacur, a redshirt senior, was tabbed as a First-Team All-PSAC at 157 pounds, while seniors Ty Linsenbigler and Kane Kettering were Third-Team All-PSAC performers at 149 and 174 pounds, respectively. For both Zacur and Kettering, it’s the second time they’ve garnered all-conference accolades. All three grapplers qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships. Collectively, the Griffins achieved a record of 11-3, including 3-3 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).