West Point 12U softball advances to World Series

West Point All Stars softball will square off against the best competition in the world, as the 12U team advanced to the Little League World Series. Last week, West Point captured the Mid-Atlantic Regional, going 3-0 in the bracket in Bristol, Connecticut. In the process, West Point twice defeated New York, the reigning World Series champions. West Point opened the double-elimination tournament with a 6-0 win last Monday against New York, a team that hails from Massapequa. On Wednesday, West Point ousted Brunswick, Maryland 3-0. They capped off their stellar week with a 5-1 triumph in a rematch against New York on Friday. West Point commences the LLWS in Greenville, North Carolina on Aug. 4.

Bushy Run legion captures Region 7 crown

The Bushy Run legion baseball team claimed the Region 7 title, edging Murrysville in the championship. Last Wednesday in Claysburg, the Beavers outlasted the Eagles 4-3, capturing their first region crown. A four-run second inning proved the difference for Bushy Run, as Brody Huffman and David Newsom picked up an RBI apiece, while Chuck Fontana provided a two-run double. The Beavers held off a seventh-inning surge from Murrysville, which had the tying and go-ahead runs on base when the final out was recorded. Newsom and Fontana each had a pair of hits for Bushy Run, while Cole Brinker and Ryan Catello collected two hits apiece for the Eagles. Both Bushy Run and Murrysville were bounced from the Pennsylvania American Legion tournament over the weekend, however. Competing at North Allegheny High School, the host Eagles suffered a 1-0 loss to Wesleyville on Saturday, and were edged 3-2 by Belle Vernon in an elimination game on Sunday. Similarly, the Beavers dropped an 11-6 outcome to Quakertown on Saturday, and sustained a 10-1 defeat against Bristol on Sunday to end their season.

Norwin High School, Cedarbrook tabbed as WPIAL championship venues

The WPIAL unveiled its 2024 fall sports championship venues last week, and a pair of Westmoreland County locations made the cut. Once again, Norwin will host a pair of WPIAL football championship games. Knights Stadium will be the home to the Class 6A and Class 4A title games on November 16. Last year, the 6A and 5A championships took place at Norwin. Earlier in the fall, Cedarbrook Golf Course in Rostraver Township will host the WPIAL boys and girls team golf championships. On Oct. 10, the boys will play the gold course, while the girls will compete on the red course.

GL, SHU grad Kollar promoted to Triple-A

Jared Kollar, a grad of Greater Latrobe High School and Seton Hill University, continued his ascension through the San Diego Padres’ minor leagues last week. Kollar, who signed with the organization as an undrafted free agent in 2022, earned a promotion to Triple-A El Paso last Thursday. Prior to that, he compiled a mark of 9-3 with an ERA of 3.04 in Double-A San Antonio this season. Kollar was a catalyst for the Wildcats when they captured WPIAL and PIAA baseball crowns in 2017, and he went 18-7 with a 3.05 ERA in four years with the Griffins. He concluded his collegiate career at Rutgers University.