PIAA softball semifinal game recaps from Monday, June 9th and Tuesday, June 10th 2025:

Nazareth 6 Hempfield Area 4 (6A Softball) - LISTEN BROADCAST

In one of the most shocking, improbable comeback victories Nazereth scored six straight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Hempfield Area 6-4 in a PIAA 6A Semifinal contest at Shippensburg. The Spartans started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning as Lauren Howard tripled in a run and Allie Cervola brought home another with a sacrifice fly. They would tack on two more runs in the fourth on a Julia Varhola RBI single and an error. In the top of the seventh, Nazareth had runners on first and second with no outs but Hempfield Area pitcher Riley Miller got consecutive strikeouts to pull the Spartans within an out of ending the game. But the Blue Eagles instead strung five hits together, along with a Hempfield Area error, to take a 6-4 lead and complete the incredible rally. Despite scoring four runs, the Spartans (23-2) managed just three hits off of Nazareth starter Kylie Grover who finished with nine strikeouts. Shauna McNamee and Taylor Friel each collected two hits for the Blue Eagles while Emma Infantino delivered a bases loaded, three-run double in the seventh. Nazareth (19-4) faces Central Dauphin in the PIAA 6A Championship on Thursday at Penn State at 4 p.m.

Penn-Trafford 8 West Allegheny 2 (5A Softball) - LISTEN BROADCAST

Penn-Trafford used a big third inning in which it scored five runs to beat West Allegheny 8-2 in the PIAA 5A Semifinals at Pleasant Valley Elementary in McMurray. The Warriors pounded out 13 hits in the game with Kylie Anthony's three hits and three runs scored leading the way. Rilie Moors, Bella Rubbe and Giuliana Youngo each had two hits while Cam Ponko knocked in a pair of runs for Penn-Trafford (23-3). Allyson Paulone allowed two earned runs and struck out two in a complete game victory in the circle. Savanna Benish collected three hits and scored twice for the Indians (18-6). P-T advances to play Greencastle-Antrim, the No. 3 seed out of District 3, in the state championship on Friday at Penn State's Beard Field beginning at 4 p.m. The Blue Devils shut out West Chester East 13-0 in the semifinals.

PIAA softball and baseball quarterfinal game recaps from Tuesday, June 2nd 2025:

Hempfield Area 4 Chambersburg 3 (6A Softball) - WATCH BROADCAST

The middle of the Hempfield Area lineup went a combined 6-for-9 guiding the Spartans to a 4-3 victory over Chambersburg in a PIAA 6A quarterfinal contest at Windber Sports Complex. Hempfield Area built a 4-0 lead through five innings thanks to the trio of Lauren Howard, Allie Cervola and Riley Miller who each finished with two hits. Howard doubled twice and scored two runs, Cervola had a double and drove in two runs while Miller also knocked in a pair. The District 3 runner-up Trojans did not go quietly, however, as they rallied to score three runs in the sixth off of Hempfield Area's Miller but could not bring home the tying run from second base. Miller retired Chambersburg in order in the seventh. Breanne Paetow homered for the Trojans (20-5) while Marley Onomastico doubled and brought in two runs. Hempfield Area (23-1) advances to play District 11 runner-up Nazareth in the semis on Monday at 4 p.m. at Norlo Park in Fayetteville.

Penn-Trafford 6 Red Land 5 (5A Softball) - WATCH BROADCAST

Annabell Carvajal's walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh inning propelled Penn-Trafford to a 6-5 triumph over District 3 Champion Red Land in the PIAA 5A Semifinals at Norlo Park. The game swung like a pendulum with each team holding multiple leads. The Warriors went ahead 1-0 in the first inning thanks to a Kylie Anthony RBI single. After Red Land struck for three runs to go ahead 3-1 in the fifth, P-T plated the next three straight to retake the lead at 4-3. The Patriots answered by scoring twice in the top of the seventh to jump in front 5-4 which set the stage for the Penn-Trafford comeback. In the bottom of the frame, Anthony smashed a lead-off homer to tie the game at 5-5. Lauren Sepe then reached on a bunt and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a pop out for the second out, Carvajal ripped a double to right-center field to end the game. Anthony finished 4-four-4 with three RBIs while Cam Ponko added a pair of hits for the Warriors (21-3) who play District 7 No. 3 seed West Allegheny on Monday in the semis at Peters Township.

Clarion Area 15 Greensburg Central Catholic 5 (1A Baseball)

Greensburg Central Catholic's season ended with a 15-5 loss to Clarion Area in the PIAA 1A quarterfinals at Slippery Rock. The Centurions finish with an 18-5 overall record.

PIAA softball and baseball first round game recaps from Monday, June 2nd 2025:

Hempfield Area 2 State College 1 (6A Softball) - WATCH BROADCAST

Hempfield Area tallied twice in the sixth inning to break a scoreless deadlock, and the Spartans stranded the tying run at third base in the seventh to edge State College Area 2-1 in the PIAA Class 6A first round. The host Spartans (22-1) received a stellar performance in the circle from Riley Miller, who was perfect for 5.2 innings and allowed just two hits and walked one, striking out seven. Addie Harpster was nearly as impressive for the District 6 Champion Little Lions (11-9), allowing just five hits without issuing a walk, striking out six. The Spartans finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth, however, beginning with a one-out double off the right field fence by Claire Mitchell. After a deep flyout by Allie Cervola advanced Mitchell to third, Lauren Howard delivered an RBI single to center to put the Spartans on the board. The subsequent batter, Ella Berkebile, hit a ball to shallow right field, and an error allowed her to reach and Howard to score, putting Hempfield ahead 2-0. That insurance proved crucial, as the Little Lions scored in the top of the seventh. Jessica Hawbaker drew a one-out walk, and a single by Harpster allowed Hawbaker to advance to third. However, a throwing error by the Spartans on the play allowed both Hawbaker to score and Harpster to advance into scoring position. After a groundout advanced the tying run to third base, Sarah Mellott hit a ball on the right side of the infield, as second baseman Howard ranged to her right and threw to first base to record the final out by a split second. Howard and Mitchell each had a pair of hits and a run scored for the Spartans, who advance to the PIAA quarterfinals on Thursday to play District 3 runner-up Chambersburg at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber at 4 p.m.

Penn-Trafford 3 Central Mountain 2 (5A Softball)

Penn-Trafford tallied three runs in the first inning and Allyson Paulone made it stand as the Warriors edged District 6 champion Central Mountain 3-2 in the first round of the PIAA 5A playoffs. Things got started for P-T with Giuliana Youngo's RBI double which gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead. Kylie Anthony followed with a squeeze bunt and Lorryn Sepe singled home Youngo to stake Penn-Trafford to an early 3-0 advantage. Central Mountain scored single runs in the first and third innings to trim the lead to 3-2 but that's when Paulone got into a groove. The sophomore hurler impressively sat down the final 14 batters she faced to secure the victory. Cam Ponko and Bella Rubbe each collected two hits and scored a run for the Warriors (20-3). Paulone yielded two earned runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking none. Cora Myers and Cirstyn Watson both knocked in runs for Central Mountain (15-2). Penn-Trafford advances to play District 8 Champion Red Land on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber.

Greensburg Central Catholic 12 West Middlesex 9 (1A Baseball)

Greensburg Central Catholic exploded for six runs in the eighth inning as the Centurions earned a 12-9, extra-innings victory over District 10 champion West Middlesex in the first round of the PIAA 1A playoffs at Slippery Rock. After the Big Red tied the game at 6-6 with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to eventaully force extras, the Centurions would go back on top in a big way in the eighth. 11 batters came to the plate as Ian Shipley, Brody Bothell, Jackson McMullen, Nick O'Mahoney, Blase Bugosh, and Bobby Smithnosky all drove in runs in the frame to give GCC a 12-6 lead. West Middlesex answered with three runs in the bottom of the eighth but with the tying run at the plate, Wyatt Hoffman grounded into a fielders choice to end the game. Smithnosky finished with four hits and scored three runs for Greensburg Central Catholic while Shipley went 3-for-6 with two triples and three RBIs. Alec Martin picked up the win in relief as he surrendered four runs in three innings. Aiden Puskar finished with two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored for West Middlesex (12-9). The Centurions (18-4) advance to play Clarion Area, the No. 2 seed out of District 9, on Thursday at Slippery Rock at 2 p.m.