WPIAL softball semifinal results from Wednesday, May 24th 2023:

Hempfield Area 8 Norwin 5 (6A)

The Spartans overcame a sluggish start to win the rubber match against their rival, ousting Norwin 8-5 in the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals at Gateway High School. Trailing 5-1 heading to the bottom of the second, No. 2 Hempfield Area scored seven unanswered runs, highlighted by a three-run homer by Peyton Heisler. Additionally, Heisler drew two walks, including one with the bases loaded, to amass four RBIs. Maggie Howard and Ella Berkebile also contributed RBIs for the Spartans, while Berkebile, Sarah Podkul, and pitcher Riley Miller each posted two-hit efforts. After allowing three homers through the first two innings, Miller permitted just one hit and no runs over the final five frames, finishing with 13 strikeouts. Norwin’s hot start was highlighted by first-inning blasts by Madie Kessler and Alyssa McCormick, while Bailey Snowberger contributed a two-run homer in the second frame. Snowberger had the only multi-hit effort for the No. 3 Knights, while McCormick took the loss in the circle, surrendering 10 hits and issuing six walks, along with six strikeouts. In the triumph, the Spartans improved to 17-3 and will face top seed Seneca Valley in the WPIAL Championship at California University of Pennsylvania next week. Hempfield Area last reached the title game in 2019, when it claimed its fifth district crown in a row. The Knights, conversely, concluded their season with a mark of 15-6.

Belle Vernon Area 10 Elizabeth Forward 1 (4A)

After losing twice to Elizabeth Forward in section play, the Leopards stunned the top-seeded and previously-undefeated Warriors, as Belle Vernon Area claimed a 10-1 win in the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals at West Mifflin Area High School. Three BVA homers loomed large, including a grand slam by Maren Metikosh in the fifth inning to put the fourth-seeded Leopards in command. Lexi Daniels delivered a two-run blast in the third, while Ava Zubovic hit a three-run shot in the seventh to seal the lopsided outcome. Furthermore, Gracie Sokol posted a multi-hit effort. Talia Ross earned the victory in the circle, as she permitted nine hits and struck out four in a complete-game effort. The lone run for EF came on a solo homer by pitcher Shelby Telegdy. Telegdy and the Warriors had allowed just eight runs total throughout the entire regular season. Consequently, Belle Vernon Area moved to 17-4 and will face No. 2 Montour in the district championship tilt at California University of Pennsylvania next week. BVA last captured gold in 2018. EF, meanwhile, dropped to 17-1 and will play Chartiers Valley in a consolation matchup.

Neshannock 15 Greensburg Central Catholic 0 (2A)

The Centurions were overwhelmed by undefeated Neshannock, as the Lancers cruised to a 15-0 win in three innings in the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals at North Allegheny High School. Addy Frye paced top seed Neshannock, as she threw a no-hitter and added a home run and two RBIs at the plate. Gabby Quinn also homered for the Lancers and scored three runs, while Jaidon Nogay went 4-for-4 with three RBIs, and Jadyn Malizia and Abigail Measal each scored twice. Emma Henry took the loss in the circle for No. 5 Greensburg Central Catholic. GCC, which dropped to 13-3, will play Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the consolation game for a spot in the PIAA postseason. The Lancers, meanwhile, stayed unblemished at 19-0 and will face second-seeded Laurel in the WPIAL Championship next week.

WPIAL softball quarterfinal results from Wednesday, May 18th 2023:

Norwin 8 Canon-McMillan 7 (6A)

The Knights smacked three home runs and fended off a late rally to edge Canon-McMillan 8-7 in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals at Gateway High School. Third seed Norwin received homers from Rachel Minteer, Bailey Snowberger, and Maddie Kessler. Miley Harrison and Emma Novotnak also had RBI hits for the Knights, while pitcher Alyssa McCormick earned the win, striking out eight. Kiersten Williams and Sam Booher each produced a two-run homer in the seventh for the No. 6 Big Macs. While Canon-McMillan concluded the ledger with a mark of 7-12, the Knights improved to 15-5 and will meet No. 2 Hempfield Area in the semifinals next Wednesday.

Shaler Area 7 Franklin Regional 0 (5A)

Playing without star pitcher Carli Ramchandran, the Panthers fell into an early deficit and were unable to rally, as they lost to Shaler Area 7-0 in a WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals clash at Gateway High School. The second-seeded Titans pounced in the first inning, as Bethany Rodman delivered a grand slam. Eloise Facher later added a two-run blast. Meanwhile, Shaler hurler Bria Bosiljevac posted a shutout, permitting just three hits while striking out 16. Seventh-seeded Franklin Regional called upon Chloe Lancaster to start in the circle in place of Ramchandran, who was injured in the first-round victory against Moon Area. Toryn Fulton, Sydney Jackson, and Maddie Nguyen accounted for the hits for FR, which finished the campaign at 12-7. Meanwhile, the Titans stayed unblemished at 18-0 and move on to battle third-seeded Trinity in the semifinals.

Trinity 13 Greater Latrobe 3 (5A)

Despite home runs from Josie Straigis and Hayden Kraynick, the Wildcats were overmatched in a 13-3 loss in six innings to Trinity in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals at West Mifflin Area High School. The third-seeded Hillers received long balls courtesy of Amber Morgan and Madison Argo. While six seed Greater Latrobe concludes the season with a mark of 15-4, Trinity improved to 17-2 and advances to the semifinals to play No. 2 Shaler Area.

Belle Vernon Area 2 West Mifflin Area 1 (4A)

Olivia Kolowitz was stellar in the circle, as she guided the Leopards to a 2-1 victory against West Mifflin Area in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals at Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair. Kolowitz went the distance, permitting four hits while striking out nine batters, and she also had an RBI groundout that plated Ava Zubovic to stake fourth-seeded BVA to a 1-0 lead. Although the No. 5 Titans pulled even in the third frame, Katie Sokol doubled and scored on a single by Lauren VanDivner for the decisive run in the fifth. Both Ava and Mia Zubovic, as well as VanDivner each produced two hits apiece. While West Mifflin wrapped up the season at 13-6, the Leopards improved to 16-4 and will clash with top-seeded Elizabeth Forward in the semifinals.

WPIAL softball first round playoff results from Tuesday, May 16th 2023:

Burrell 4 Mount Pleasant Area 1 (3A)

Katie Armstrong notched 15 strikeouts, while three home runs propelled the Buccaneers to a 4-1 triumph against Mount Pleasant Area in the WPIAL Class 3A first round at Plum High School. Armstrong earned the victory in the circle, permitting six hits and issuing no walks. Meanwhile, fourth seed Burrell received solo homers from Bella Stewart, Pyper Ferres, and Braelyn Jones, the latter two of which came back-to-back in the fourth inning. Jenna Morrison also added an RBI for the Bucs. Krista Brunson went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and the lone RBI for the No. 13 Vikings, who concluded the season at 11-9 overall. Burrell moved to 12-5 and will play fifth-seeded Mohawk in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Ligonier Valley 4 Hopewell 2 (3A)

Limited to just one hit through the first six innings, the Rams exploded for five hits and four runs in the seventh inning, stunning Hopewell 4-2 in the WPIAL Class 3A first round at Plum High School. The run support boosted Ligonier Valley pitcher Cheyenne Piper to the victory, as she took a no-hitter into the sixth, allowing just two hits while striking out 16. Sydnee Foust, Neve Dowden, and Payton LaVale all singled consecutively to open the seventh, and an RBI groundout by Abby Springer tied the score at 2-2. A two-out bases-loaded walk by Ruby Wallace gave No. 11 seed LV the lead, and Piper capped the frame with an RBI single. Sixth-seeded Hopewell received a two-run homer from Ava Compton, while Mya Parish racked up 14 strikeouts in the defeat. While the Vikings finished the ledger at 10-7, the Rams improved to 9-7 overall and advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday to battle third-seeded Waynesburg Central.

Southmoreland 3 McGuffey 1 (3A)

Amarah McCutcheon homered and Maddie Brown didn’t allow a run after the first inning, as the Scotties edged McGuffey 3-1 in the WPIAL Class 3A first round at Waynesburg University. McCutcheon’s blast tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the first, while Makayla Etling and Brooke McBeth added RBI singles for second seed Southmoreland. Brown allowed a run and three hits in the first frame, but she retired the final seven batters of the game and notched five punchouts. While the Highlanders ended the season with an overall mark of 8-7, the Scotties elevated their record to 14-2 and will face Yough in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Yough 11 Ellwood City 5 (3A)

A pair of home runs by Adoria Waldier catapulted the Cougars to an 11-5 victory against Ellwood City in the WPIAL Class 3A first round at North Allegheny High School. Waldier pulled the No. 7 Cougars even in the third inning with a three-run blast, and her two-run shot in the fifth gave Yough the lead. Abbey Zuraw also homered, Madison Horvat collected two RBIs, and Sidney Bergman registered five strikeouts in the circle for Yough. Julia Nardone homered for the No. 10 Wolverines, who concluded the season at 11-6 overall. The Cougars improved to 10-4 and will face No. 2 Southmoreland in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Waynesburg Central 5 Valley 1 (3A)

Greensburg Central Catholic 10 Bentworth 0 (2A)

Emma Henry was dominant, both in the circle and at the plate, as she helped propel the Centurions to a 10-0 victory against Bentworth via the mercy rule in five innings in the WPIAL Class 2A first round at West Mifflin Area High School. Henry tossed a shutout, registering eight strikeouts, while she posted a 4-for-4 effort at the plate with two RBIs. Grace Kindel was also impactful for fifth-seeded GCC, as she contributed two hits and three runs batted in. Greensburg Central Catholic improved to 12-2 overall, while the Bearcats concluded the campaign at 6-9. The Centurions advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday to play fourth-seeded Charleroi.

Jeannette 16 Carlynton 1 (1A)

The Jayhawks jumped out to an early lead and continued to add on, while pitcher Grace Stein was overpowering to lead Jeannette to a 16-1 victory against Carlynton in the WPIAL Class 1A first round at Peterswood Park in Venetia. Stein went the distance in the circle, allowing just three hits and issuing one walk while accumulating 14 strikeouts. Ninth seed Jeannette scored four times in the first inning, boosted by four walks and a two-run single by Franke Crosby. Crosby added another two-run hit in the seventh, as did Savannah Lock, and Mackenzie Lewis drew four walks for Jeannette. While ninth-seeded Carlynton concluded the season with a record of 8-6 overall, the Jayhawks improved to 12-4 and will meet top-seeded Union in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

WPIAL softball first round playoff results from Monday, May 15th 2023:

Franklin Regional 10 Moon Area 2 (5A)

A power surge that included four home runs carried the seventh-seeded Panthers to a 10-2 triumph against Moon Area in the WPIAL Class 5A first round at Peterswood Park in Venetia. Madison Nguyen and Lexi Patberg each launched a pair of homers for FR, as Nguyen posted a 3-for-4 effort with six RBIs. Additionally, Sydney Jackson notched three hits and scored three times for Franklin Regional, while Tait Ramchandran and Chloe Lancaster added a pair of hits. In the setback, Alyssa Favarella homered for the No. 10 Tigers. FR improved to 12-6 overall, and will face No. 2 seed Shaler Area on Wednesday in the quarterfinals. On the other side, the Tigers wrapped up their ledger with an overall mark of 6-10.

Greater Latrobe 12 Western Beaver 1 (5A)

A strong effort from Kayla Williams in the circle and an offensive outburst carried the No. 6 Wildcats to a 12-1 mercy-rule victory in six innings against No. 11 Western Beaver in the WPIAL Class 5A first round. Competing at Gateway High School, Greater Latrobe scored nine runs over the final three innings. Lauren Weatherton collected three hits and three RBIs for GL, while Sydney DeGram, Hayden Kraynick, Corrine Wright, and Grace Henigen each picked up a pair of hits. DeGram contributed a two-run single to put GL ahead 5-1 in the fourth stanza, and the Wildcats added another run in the fifth. Greater Latrobe capped the outing with six runs in the sixth, including a two-run single by Weatherton and a two-run homer by Josie Straigis. Williams earned the W in the circle, allowing just five hits and racking up 11 strikeouts. The Wildcats, who improved to 15-3 overall, progress to the quarterfinals to play third seed Trinity on Wednesday. Conversely, the Golden Beavers ended their campaign with a record of 8-8.

Trinity 3 Penn-Trafford 2 (5A)

The upset-minded Warriors held an early lead, but could not make it stand in a 3-2 loss to third-seeded Trinity in the WPIAL Class 5A first round at Peterswood Park in Venetia. Penn-Trafford, seeded No. 14, gained a 1-0 edge, but the Hillers deadlocked the score on a Miranda Rinehart home run in the third inning. Trinity pulled ahead with two runs in the fourth inning, and did not relinquish the lead. Bri Pusateri paced the Warriors with a pair of RBI singles, while Erin Drotos added two hits and Rilie Moors doubled. Jadyn Pellis was the tough-luck loser in the circle, as she permitted six hits while striking out six batters. The Warriors finished with an overall mark of 6-12, while the Hillers moved to 16-2 overall and advance to battle No. 6 Greater Latrobe on Wednesday.

Hampton 6 Greensburg Salem 1 (4A)

The Golden Lions could not solve pitcher Cassie Vidic, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth in leading Hampton to a 6-1 victory in the WPIAL Class 4A first round at Fox Chapel Area High School. Vidic allowed just three hits while striking out 14 for the No. 8 Talbots. The ninth-seeded Golden Lions scored their lone run in the seventh inning, courtesy of an RBI single by Mia Peticca, while Heather Bolen also picked up a hit for GS. Alle Scarpa and Kaidence Thomas split time in the circle for Greensburg Salem, each racking up five strikeouts. Hampton received a two-run single by Jessica Lange. The Golden Lions concluded their season with a record of 10-8 overall, while the Talbots improved to 13-5 and move on to the quarterfinals against top-seeded Elizabeth Forward on Wednesday.