Hempfield Area softball moves on to semis

In notching a third consecutive one-run victory, Hempfield Area softball prevailed 4-3 against Chambersburg Area in the PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals last Thursday at the Iron Horse Complex in Windber. The WPIAL-champion Spartans took a 4-0 lead, scoring in the first inning, plating a pair of runs in the third, and adding another run in the fifth. The District 3 runner-up Trojans answered with three runs in the sixth, but Spartans pitcher Riley Miller retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the victory. Miller went the distance in the circle, permitting three runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out six, and she also went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs. Allie Cervola also added a pair of hits and two runs batted in, while Lauren Howard notched two hits and two runs scored. Thus, the Spartans (23-1) move on to the state semifinals against Nazareth Tuesday.

Warriors softball claims walk-off victory

A walk-off single by Annabell Carvajal gave Penn-Trafford softball a 6-5 triumph against Red Land in the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals last Thursday at the Iron Horse Complex in Windber. Carvajal’s two-out hit that scored Lorryn Sepe capped a two-run frame for the Warriors, which began the inning with a solo home run by Kylie Anthony to deadlock the score. Anthony finished 4-for-4 at the dish for PT, while Cam Ponko had a pair of hits and an RBI. The Warriors (22-3) advance to the PIAA semis for a clash with West Allegheny at 4 p.m. today at the Pleasant Valley Middle School in McMurray.

Lee, Grimm among WPIAL HOF inductees

The WPIAL Hall of Fame Class of 2025 featured two of the most recognizable athletes in Westmoreland County history, as Spencer Lee and Russ Grimm were inducted on Friday in Green Tree. During his time at Franklin Regional, Lee went 144-1 on the mat, capturing four WPIAL and three PIAA individual titles. Following his time with the Panthers, Lee went 95-6 at the University of Iowa, winning three NCAA individual crowns, and he captured a silver medal for the USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Grimm thrived on the gridiron at Southmoreland, but earned nine total varsity letters between football, basketball, and track and field. After his storied career with the Scotties, he played at the University of Pittsburgh, and then played in the NFL for 11 seasons with the Washington Redskins, earning four All-Pro selections. Grimm also spent 26 years as an NFL coach, including a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Additionally, Monessen basketball star Charel Allen was also inducted, as she scored 3,110 points in her career with the Greyhounds, winning WPIAL and PIAA gold. She went on to star at the University of Notre Dame, and played for a decade in the WNBA.

PT volleyball falls in quarterfinals

Penn-Trafford boys volleyball reached the state quarterfinals for the second time in team history, but the Warriors run ended on that stage with a 3-1 loss to North Allegheny last Saturday. The Warriors, who finished third from the WPIAL, fell to the district champion Tigers 25-17, 12-25, 25-16, and 25-17 in the PIAA Class 3A matchup at Peters Township High School. The second set was the highlight for the Warriors, who scored seven consecutive points in the stanza, led by Connor Evangeliste on the service line. Penn-Trafford, which swept homestanding State College Area 25-16, 25-21, and 25-19 in the state first round, ended its campaign with a mark of 14-8. Conversely, North Allegheny (17-1), which was led by Will Robertson’s 13 kills, advances to the state semifinals to face Central York on Tuesday.

SHU’s Day steps down as football coach

After six years guiding his alma mater, Dan Day stepped down as Seton Hill University football coach last week. In his place, Griffins defensive coordinator Kevin May was promoted as the new head coach. Day, a Seton Hill graduate who played on the first Griffins’ football team in 2005, returned to lead the program beginning in 2019, and became the winningest head coach in program history. In 2023, Day helped propel SHU to an overall mark of 6-5, including 4-3 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West. This past campaign, SHU compiled a record of 3-8, including 1-5 in the PSAC West. Day intends to pursue opportunities outside of football. May served as the DC for the entirety of Day’s tenure at Seton Hill, as the Griffins claimed consecutive PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year honors. Prior to Seton Hill, May served as an assistant coach for four seasons at Texas A&M-Kingsville. He also played at the college level at Occidental College.