Penn-Trafford junior legion falls in state title

Penn-Trafford legion came up short of winning its second state title in three years, as the Warriors were edged by Upper Perkiomen 1-0 in the championship last Wednesday in Berwick. The lone run came in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Ryan Sink. Zach Feldman was the tough-luck loser on the mound for PT, as he permitted just three hits and walked two. Ethan Septak, who was named the tournament MVP, provided a double for the Warriors, who also lost to Upper Perkiomen in pool play. On Tuesday, PT defeated Lower Southampton 9-3 to reach the title round. Braden Kane earned the win on the mound, as he worked five innings, allowing nine hits and three runs. Zach Feldman posted a pair of extra-base hits and two RBIs, while Kane, Logan Matrisch, Colton Tyburski, and Dom Delio also collected a pair of hits apiece. The Warriors finished the campaign with a record of 25-3, winning the district’s regular-season and playoff crowns, as well as the West Regional.

Football heat week, golf practice commences

Monday marked the start for a pair of high school fall sports, as football and golf practices commenced. On the gridiron, teams can begin heat acclimatization, a required five-day period that precedes traditional practices with full contact. Teams can play scrimmage games beginning on Aug. 19, and Week Zero contests or second scrimmages are slated for Aug. 25. Meanwhile, Monday also marks the start for golf practices, while Aug. 10 is the first play date, and section matches begin on Aug. 14.

Valley boys soccer to return to play

After not fielding a team the past two seasons, Valley boys varsity soccer will return to the pitch this fall. The Vikings last played in 2020, but did not have sufficient players in the two subsequent campaigns. The team will be guided by Ben Carlisle, a 2015 graduate of Valley who had previously coached the junior high co-ed program. Because the next WPIAL realignment won’t occur until the 2024 season, the Vikings will play an independent schedule this season and will not be eligible for the WPIAL playoffs.

SHU tabs Rauso as assistant coach

Just months after his stellar final season as a player, Vinny Rauso has been added to the Seton Hill University baseball coaching staff for the 2024 season. Rauso, who will be a graduate assistant, will fill the void left by the departure of Tyler Sullivan, who departed this offseason after five years on staff. In three seasons as a player for the Griffins, Rauso hit .356 with nine home runs, 109 RBIs, and 45 stolen bases. This spring, he was honored as a First-Team All-PSAC West performer at catcher.