WPIAL releases baseball & softball playoff brackets

Last Updated: Sat May 09, 2026 - 1:55AM

The WPIAL released its baseball and softball playoff brackets this week, setting the path to a potential title for nearly two dozen Westmoreland County teams. Penn-Trafford and Greensburg Central Catholic headlined the baseball brackets, with each team receiving the second seed, while Hempfield Area earned the top seed in softball.

In baseball in Class 6A, both Norwin and Hempfield Area made the cut. The Knights, who finished tied for first place but lost the tiebreaker in Section 2, garnered the fourth seed, as they’ll play No. 5 Pittsburgh Central Catholic on Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at Gateway High School. Meanwhile, the Spartans received the sixth seed and will play third-seeded North Allegheny on May 18 at 7 p.m. at Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair.

In the 5A bracket, Penn-Trafford, Greater Latrobe, and Franklin Regional all qualified. The Warriors, who took first place from Section 1, received the second seed, creating a matchup against No. 15 Fox Chapel Area on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Plum High School. The Wildcats earned the sixth seed, setting up a showdown against No. 11 Bethel Park on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., also at Plum. The Panthers were tabbed as the seventh seed, as they will square off against No. 10 South Fayette on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at West Mifflin Area High School.

In the Class 4A field, Valley, Belle Vernon Area, and Derry Area punched their tickets. The Vikings, who tied for the crown in Section 3, were seeded third, as they will face the winner of sixth seed Hopewell and No. 11 Ringgold in the quarterfinals on Monday, May 18. Meanwhile, the Leopards received the fifth seed, creating a battle against No. 12 Hampton on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Gateway. The Trojans were seeded No. 13, and will play fourth seed Beaver Area on Monday at 4 p.m. at Deer Lakes High School.

A trio of Westmoreland County teams also qualified in 3A, as Mount Pleasant Area, Burrell, and Ligonier Valley all are in the mix. The Vikings collected the eighth seed, and will match up against No. 9 Charleroi on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Ross Memorial Park in Washington. The Buccaneers were seeded No. 11, and will face sixth-seeded Mohawk on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Pullman Park in Butler. The Rams are the No. 14 seed, setting up a clash against third seed Ellwood City on Tuesday at 4 p.m., also at Pullman Park.

Lastly in Class 1A, Greensburg Central Catholic, which finished atop Section 1, received the No. 2 seed and earned a bye. Thus, the Centurions await the winner of No. 7 Jefferson-Morgan and No. 10 Union in the quarterfinals on Monday, May 18.

On the softball side in Class 6A, Hempfield Area and Norwin are in the fold. The Spartans earned the top seed, and a bye to the semifinals to face either No. 4 Canon-McMillan or fifth seed Mount Lebanon on Tuesday, May 19. The Knights, conversely, were seeded third, and will play No. 6 Pine-Richland in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Plum.

In the 5A field, Penn-Trafford, Kiski Area, and Greater Latrobe all qualified. The Warriors, who won Section 2, collected the third seed, and will play No. 14 Connellsville Area on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Norwin High School. The Cavaliers are the No. 12 seed and will face fifth-seeded Baldwin on Tuesday at 3 p.m., also at Norwin. Furthermore, the Wildcats were seeded No. 13, creating a matchup against fourth seed West Allegheny on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Gateway.

Derry Area and Greensburg Salem advanced to the postseason in Class 4A. The Trojans earned the ninth seed, and will square off against No. 8 Beaver Area on Monday at 3 p.m. at Gateway. The Golden Lions are the No. 13 seed and will face fourth seed Hampton on Monday at 5 p.m., also at Gateway.

In 3A, Mount Pleasant, Burrell, and Yough all qualified. The Vikings, who won Section 1, earned the third seed, and a bye to the quarterfinals. They will play on Monday, May 18, against the winner of the No. 6 Buccaneers and No. 11 Charleroi, which will be contested on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Norwin. The Cougars, meanwhile, are the No. 9 seed, and will play eighth seed Avonworth on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Gateway.

Lastly in Class 1A, Jeannette and Monessen are in the mix. The Jayhawks garnered the No. 8 seed, and will face ninth-seeded Bishop Canevin on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Plum. The Greyhounds are the No. 10 seed and will battle No. 7 Sewickley Academy on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Montour High School.

2026 WPIAL Baseball Brackets

2026 WPIAL Softball Brackets