Westmoreland County high school baseball recaps from Monday, May 8th 2023:

Hempfield 11 Norwin 0 (5 inn.)   WATCH BROADCAST

Keyed by a monster performance by Adam Hess, the Spartans exploded with an 11-0 victory in five innings against homestanding Norwin. Hess belted a pair of homers, going 3-for-3 with six RBIs in the triumph. He and Dylan Firmstone launched back-to-back homers to put the Spartans ahead in the second inning, and Hess added a three-run blast in the next inning to extend the lead. Additionally, Gage Wheaton went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs, and Carson Shuglie and Caden Biondi also reached base three times apiece. On the hill, Jack Kurdziel recorded an abbreviated three-hit shutout. Keegan Carr was the bright spot offensively for the Knights, as he singled and walked. With both teams playoff bound, Hempfield Area concluded Section 2-6A play at 8-7, while Norwin also wrapped up its section ledger at 8-7.

Penn-Trafford 7 Franklin Regional 5   WATCH BROADCAST

Penn-Trafford scored three runs in the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie and went on to defeat Franklin Regional 7-5 in a Section 1-5A match up at Haymaker Park. With one out in the seventh inning, PT's Brody Hoffman delivered a RBI single against a drawn in infield to put the Warriors in front 5-4. Chuck Fontana would then collect what turned out to be the game-winning hit, a two-run single to swell the advantage to 7-4. The Panthers scored once in the seventh to pull within two but left the tying runs on base as a hard lineout ended the game. Payton Bigler had three hits for the Warriors while Stone and Carmen Metcalfe each had two. Ian Temple hit a three-run homer. Nolan Marasti went six innings to earn the victory. Blake Bertucci had two hits and drove in a run for Franklin Regional and Owen Sinclair smashed a two-run home run. Penn-Trafford is now 8-3 in the section and can clinch a share of the section title with a victory Tuesday. The Panthers drop to 6-5 and must win Tuesday to earn a WPIAL playoff berth.

Armstrong 8 Kiski Area 5

With their section slate already completed, the Cavaliers dropped an 8-5 nonsection tilt at home against Armstrong. Nate Witt led Kiski Area with a triple and two RBIs. Caden Rupert and Haden Brink each homered for the River Hawks. Playoff-bound Kiski Area dropped to 9-9 overall, while Armstrong moved to 12-6.

Greater Latrobe 3 Mars Area 2

Jacob Cramer was the hero in the 10th inning, as he provided the winning RBI to give the Wildcats a 3-2 walkoff home win against Mars Area. The Wildcats held a 2-1 lead after the first inning, and that stood until the Fightin Planets scored a run in the seventh to force extra innings. Erick Batista went 4-for-5 with a pair of runs for GL, while Anthony Massari went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a walk. Following the nonsection clash, the Wildcats improved their overall record to 13-6, while Mars Area dropped to 9-9.

Connellsville Area 4 Belle Vernon 3

The Leopards were on the wrong side of a walkoff, as host Connellsville Area scored in the bottom of the seventh to notch a 4-3 triumph. As a result of the nonsection setback, Belle Vernon Area fell to 7-10 overall, while the Falcons improved to 7-11. Adam LaCarte homered for BVA, while Seth Tomalski added a two-run double. Matthew Firestone produced three hits and two runs batted in to lead Connellsville.

Greensburg Salem 6 Yough 5

The Golden Lions staged a dramatic comeback, scoring five times in the bottom of the seventh to claim a 6-5 win at home against Yough. As a result, Greensburg Salem kept its hopes alive for a section title, improving to 9-2 in Section 4-3A, while the Cougars fell to 10-1. In pursuit of clinching the section title, the Cougars held a 5-1 edge in the final inning. However, Greensburg Salem loaded the bases, and walks drawn by Ty Martin and Owen Tutich pulled the Golden Lions within two. Peyton Chismar and Grant Smith provided RBI singles to deadlock the game, and Noah DeMary plated the winning run on an RBI single. For Yough, Gavin Roebuck provided a two-run single, Matt Sanner hit two sacrifice flies, and Carson Pasinski had an RBI hit. Pasinski also started on the mound for the Cougars and worked into the seventh inning.

Mount Pleasant 13 Southmoreland 0; Mount Pleasant 2 Southmoreland 1

The Vikings swept a doubleheader against Southmoreland, with Mount Pleasant prevailing 13-0 and 2-1. As a result, Mount Pleasant improved its mark to 5-5 in Section 4-3A, staying in playoff contention, while the Scotties tumbled to 1-11. In the one-run victory, Jeremy Kitz earned the W on the mound for the Vikings. In the lopsided win, CJ Nestor compiled three RBIs, while Cole Chatfield and Lucas Nicotera each contributed two hits.

Derry Area 3 Shady Side Academy 2

The Trojans continued to stay in contention for a playoff berth, courtesy of a 3-2 win at home against Shady Side Academy. Nate Papuga led the way for Derry Area on the hill, as he worked six innings, striking out seven, while Roman Fridley earned the save. With the victory, DA improved to 5-6 in Section 3-3A, while the Bulldogs, who have already clinched a playoff berth, dropped to 5-6.

Richland 4 Ligonier Valley 1

Playing against District 6 opponent Richland, Ligonier Valley suffered a 4-1 home defeat in the battle of the Rams. The nonsection setback dropped LV’s overall mark to 8-7-1. Ligonier Valley has already punched its ticket to the playoffs.

Greensburg Central Catholic 7 Riverview 3

In a clash of playoff qualifiers, the Centurions scored a 7-3 home win against Riverview. Greensburg Central Catholic improved to 7-3 in Section 3-2A, while the Raiders fell to 8-2. Max Kallock and Jackson McMullen each doubled for GCC, while Sean Walker posted a multi-hit effort.

Valley 7 Deer Lakes 6

Clairton 5 Monessen 1; Clairton 8 Monessen 2