Spartans, Leopards, Scotties reach softball title games

A trio of Westmoreland County softball teams will compete for WPIAL gold, as Hempfield Area, Belle Vernon Area, and Southmoreland have all reached the title games. The second-seeded Spartans reached the Class 6A championship round courtesy of their 8-5 victory against No. 3 Norwin last Wednesday at Gateway. Trailing 5-1 heading to the bottom of the second, 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. In the triumph, the Spartans improved to 17-3 and will face top seed Seneca Valley on Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. at California University of Pennsylvania. In Class 4A, the Leopards stunned the top-seeded and previously-undefeated Elizabeth Forward, as Belle Vernon Area claimed a 10-1 win at West Mifflin Area High School last Wednesday. 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, while Ava Zubovic hit a three-run shot to seal the outcome. Talia Ross earned the victory in the circle, as she permitted nine hits and struck out four. BVA moved to 17-4 and will face No. 2 Montour at noon on Wednesday at Cal U. Lastly in 3A, the No. 2 Scotties blanked third seed Waynesburg Central 7-0 last Tuesday at Peterswood Park in Venetia. Maddie Brown registered the seven-hit shutout for Southmoreland, while Riley Puckey posted four hits. Southmoreland, which moved to 16-2, will meet top-seeded Avonworth on Thursday at noon at Cal U.

Penn-Trafford, Greater Latrobe ousted from volleyball playoffs

The last two remaining boys volleyball teams from Westmoreland County both fell in the WPIAL semifinals last week, as Penn-Trafford was ousted in 3A, while Greater Latrobe was upset in 2A. The No. 3 Warriors lost to second seed North Allegheny 3-1 last Tuesday at Fox Chapel Area High School. In that match, the Tigers prevailed 25-12, 25-19, 21-25, and 25-14. Despite the setback, Penn-Trafford is still alive in its bid for the PIAA tournament, as the Warriors will play No. 4 Canon-McMillan in the consolation match on Tuesday at Peters Township High School. Also last Tuesday, the top-seeded Wildcats were stunned by No. 4 North Catholic 3-0 at Gateway High School. The eventual WPIAL champion Trojans prevailed 25-18, 25-23, and 30-28. In the defeat, Tyler Nelson paced the Wildcats with 15 kills, while Lucas Gunther led the way for NC with 24 kills. The Wildcats’ season ended two nights later, as Greater Latrobe fell to No. 2 Mars Area 3-2 in the consolation match at Peters Township High School.

DeCerb honored as Rosensteel award winner

Greater Latrobe’s Sophia DeCerb, who enjoyed a stellar soccer career with the Wildcats, was recently selected as the Kaitlyn “Moe” Rosensteel Scholarship Award winner. DeCerb was recognized last week, receiving a $2,000 scholarship towards her education and athletic career at James Madison University. DeCerb was chosen among WPIAL female seniors who submitted an essay to be considered. DeCerb was an All-State goalkeeper at GL, helping guide the Wildcats to a mark of 12-5-2, reaching the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals in the fall. The scholarship is presented in honor of Rosensteel, who played soccer at Greensburg Central Catholic and Ringgold and planned to continue her career collegiately before she died tragically from a lightning strike in 2019.

Griffins’ historic run ends in Super Regionals

Despite winning the most games in team history, Seton Hill baseball suffered a pair of losses over the weekend that ended its season. The Griffins were swept in the best-of-three series by host Millersville University in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Super Regional. The top-seeded Marauders prevailed 9-4 on Friday, and followed with an 11-6 victory the following day. In the opening game, the Griffins held a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of a home run by Jack Oberdorf and an RBI double by Noah Sweeney. Millersville scored nine unanswered runs, however, punctuated by four home runs. In addition to Oberdorf, Owen Sabol also posted a multi-hit effort, while Logan Vietmeier drew three walks in the setback. On Saturday, SHU again held an early lead, at 4-1, but Millersville exploded for 10 runs over a four-inning span to seal the outcome. Sabol led the Griffins with a 4-for-5 effort, while Vinny Rauso had a pair of hits and Joe Fiedor provided two RBIs. The Griffins, who claimed their third PSAC title earlier this month, concluded the campaign with a mark of 48-13.