Shaler Wins First WPIAL Baseball Title In 20 Years
It took 20 years, but Shaler finally got the one for the thumb, winning their fifth WPIAL baseball championship in program history with a 8-1 win against Laurel Highlands at Wild Things Park.
Five was the lucky number as the Titans won their fifth title as the No. 5 seed. The No. 6 Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the third inning, but it was all Titans from that point on.
This was Shaler’s first year in Class 5A after competing in Class 6A last year.
Senior Colin Harger was 4 for 4 with two runs scored and three RBIs to lead the Titans, who scored three runs in the fifth inning and four more in the sixth to break a 1-1 tie.
Junior Nick Rispoli was dominant in relief for Shaler. Rispoli retired the first 11 Mustangs he faced and only allowed one walk in 4.1 innings to earn the win, striking out eight batters.
Shaler improves to 15-7 will face the fourth-place team out of District 3 in the PIAA playoffs Monday.