Norwin, Greater Latrobe, Derry Area sweep baseball series

Three Westmoreland County baseball teams had a perfect start to their section slate last week, as Norwin, Greater Latrobe, and Derry Area all swept their initial two-game series. The Knights outslugged host Baldwin 17-14 on Monday, and then posted an 8-2 win at home the following day. In the first game, Norwin’s Jake Kendro homered and doubled, posting six RBIs, while Ryan Orosz smacked a three-run home run. In the second game, Ty Cupp registered a pair of runs batted in for the Knights. The Wildcats scored a pair of wins against McKeesport Area, 11-3 and 8-0. In the first tilt, Erick Batista belted three hits, while Jacob Albaugh produced four RBIs. On Tuesday, Chase Sickenberger earned the win on the bump, working five scoreless innings, and he also homered. Additionally, Logan Short and Owen Miele each had two-hit efforts. The Trojans swept Valley by margins of 11-1 and 7-5. In the first victory, a home triumph, Derry Area was led by Ryan Hood, who earned the win on the mound and struck out 11. Meanwhile, Noah Cymmerman went 3-3 with five RBIs. The next day, Hood provided a pair of RBIs in the victory.

Piper tosses perfect game for LV softball

Ligonier Valley pitcher Maddie Griffin provided an array of no hitters and perfect games in the circle last year, but another Rams’ hurler achieved perfection last week. Sophomore Cheyenne Piper, filling in for Griffin, threw a perfect game in Ligonier Valley’s 7-0 home victory against Punxsutawney last Wednesday. In her first varsity pitching start, Piper struck out 15 of the 21 batters she faced. Piper has typically played shortstop this season when Griffin has pitched. In 2021, Griffin notched five perfect games and 11 no-hitters en route to guiding the Rams to the PIAA Class AA silver medal.

Yough alum Hoffer hired to guide Cougars football

A player who was a catalyst during one of the most successful stretches in Yough football history is back to lead the program. Ben Hoffer, a 2009 Yough graduate, was hired as the Cougars’ football coach last Tuesday, replacing Chris Chunko. Hoffer has 10 years of experience as an assistant football coach, including nine years over two tenures at East Allegheny, with a year at Yough sandwiched in between. Hoffer also has been an assistant baseball coach at Yough. During his playing days with the Cougars, Hoffer was part of back-to-back eight-win teams. He ranks second in school history in rushing yards. Following his high-school career, Hoffer played at Washington & Jefferson College. In his two seasons at the helm, Chunko compiled a record of 3-14, including just 1-9 this past campaign.

Five local tennis players qualify for WPIAL singles

The field is set for the WPIAL boys tennis singles tournaments, and five Westmoreland County players have their sights on claiming gold. In Class 3A, Franklin Regional senior Andrew Allen and junior Aaron Allen, Hempfield Area senior Justin Novotney, and Greater Latrobe junior Josh Havrilla have all qualified for the tournament, which commences Tuesday at Bethel Park High School. Andrew Allen garnered the No. 3 seed and faces No. 14 Severin Harmon of Sewickley Academy. Meanwhile, Aaron Allen is seeded fifth and will battle No. 12 Sam Bitzer of Shady Side Academy. Havrilla was awarded the No. 10 seed and will meet seventh-seeded Philip Gorun of Mount Lebanon. Lastly, Novotney secured the No. 16 seed and squares off against top-seeded Jake Patterson of South Fayette. In the Class 3A Section 1 qualifying tournament last week, Andrew edged Aaron 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the championship battle of the Allens, while Havrilla ousted Novotney 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 in the third-place matchup. Meanwhile in Class 2A, the lone Westmoreland representative is Valley senior Nicholas Bussard, who is No. 14 and has a first-round clash against third-seeded Drew Dimidjian of Thomas Jefferson at North Allegheny High School. Bussard finished fourth in the Class 2A Section 3 tournament on his home court last week. The Class 3A and 2A championships are slated for Wednesday at North Allegheny.

Johnson named Valley interim AD

Valley has a new athletic director, as Kim Johnson was approved for the role on an interim basis. Johnson, who is the Valley varsity swim coach and has been a teacher in the district for 30 years, will serve in the position until at least July 1. She fills the void after the resignation of Muzzy Colosimo in March.

Seton Hill’s McDermott headlines SportsCenter’s Top 10

Another Seton Hill baseball player made SportsCenter over the weekend, as Neal McDermott gained the spotlight on the ESPN highlight show. McDermott made a spectacular catch in center field for the Griffins on Friday at home against Clarion, a play which helped Seton Hill eventually win 4-3 in nine innings. The catch was selected as the No. 1 play in that night’s installment of the Top 10 segment. McDermott, who played at Greensburg Central Catholic in high school, spent the first several years of his Seton Hill career as a pitcher before transitioning to the outfield. Last year, SHU center field Derek Orndorff also provided a spectacular catch that made the SportsCenter Top 10.