Latrobe, Murrysville legion reach title game

The District 31 American Legion baseball championship game is set, as Latrobe and Murrysville punched their tickets over the weekend. The Jethawks swept Hempfield East in the best-of-three semifinals, winning 1-0 on Friday and scoring a decisive 9-1 triumph on Saturday. In the first victory at Greater Latrobe High School, Haden Sierocky provided the walkoff RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, which scored Erick Batista. Jack Stynchula was stellar on the mound for the Jethawks, as he limited Hempfield East to just three hits in the shutout. On Saturday at the University of Pitt-Greensburg, Tyler Smith thrived on the hill, as he spun a three-hitter. Offensively, Smith was 3-for-3, Batista had a pair of hits and two RBIs, and Cooper Basciano also had two hits. In the other semifinals, the Eagles bested Bushy Run 4-3 on Saturday, and edged the Beavers 2-1 on Sunday. In Game 1 at Penn-Trafford High School, the Eagles threw out the potential tying run, Jonny Lovre, at the plate to end the game. Murrysville scored a pair of runs apiece in the second and third innings, as Nolan Boehm had two hits, a pair of RBIs, and scored twice, while Brody Reese notched two doubles. On Sunday at Haymaker Park, the Eagles scored twice in the opening inning, and that was enough run support for pitchers Erik Streussnig and Blake Bertucci. Streussnig and Boehm produced RBIs, while Reese and Cole Brinker each collected two hits. As a result, the top-seeded Jethawks will host No. 3 Murrysville on Wednesday at 5:30, while Bushy Run will welcome Hempfield East in the consolation game at the same time.

Porter tabbed to coach LV boys bball

Mount Pleasant Area graduate Dante Porter was approved as the head coach for the Ligonier Valley boys basketball team last week. Porter replaces Tim Gustin, who resigned in the offseason after four years at the helm of the Rams. Porter was an assistant at Geibel Catholic for five seasons, and he served in the same role last campaign at Berlin Brothersvalley, which reached the PIAA Class 1A Championship game. In 2023-24, the Rams went 5-17 overall, including 3-9 in Class 3A Section 3, missing the playoffs. Porter played both basketball and football during his time with the Vikings, and also graduated from Saint Vincent College.

KA reveals latest HOF Class

The Kiski Area Sports Hall of Fame revealed its Class of 2024 last week, a group that includes eight standout athletes. The inductees include: Michael Zidek (Class of 1980 – football, basketball, track and field); John Vida (87 – football, wrestling, track and field); Jodi Travaglia (87 – volleyball and softball); John Mazurek (96 – swimming and track and field); Jennifer Tokar Alter (00 – golf, basketball, track and field); Shane Kuhn (14 – football and wrestling); Joe Brungo (14 - football, basketball, and baseball); and Brent Kennedy (14 – cross country, track and field, soccer). The induction ceremony will take place on Aug. 31 at the Greek Orthodox Social Hall in Oakmont.

WCCA 7-on-7 football slated for this week

The annual Westmoreland County Coaches Association Larry Sellitto Passing Tournament will take place this week, as 15 county schools will battle for 7-on-7 supremacy. On Thursday at Greater Latrobe High School, the host Wildcats will aim to capture their third consecutive crown. Last year, Greater Latrobe edged Norwin 18-12 in the championship. The teams in Bracket A include Norwin, Franklin Regional, Penn-Trafford, Mount Pleasant Area, Yough, Valley, Ligonier Valley, and Greater Latrobe B. Bracket B consists of Hempfield Area, Kiski Area, Greensburg Salem, Southmoreland, Burrell, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, and Greater Latrobe A.

Grandey to shift to coaching role with SHU softball

Nina Grandey, who was a standout on the softball diamond for Seton Hill University the past four years, will remain with the program as a coach for the upcoming campaign. Last week, Grandey was tabbed as a graduate assistant coach for the 2025 season. Her area of focus will be working with the Griffins infielders and baserunners. During her playing career, Grandey played in 189 games, hitting .319 with 12 home runs, 71 RBIs, 137 runs, and 74 stolen bases. She was a two-time All-PSAC performer.