Bethel Park Wins First State Baseball Title in 33 years

After losing the WPIAL Class 5A Championship Game to Franklin Regional in dramatic fashion, the Bethel Park baseball team regrouped and got accomplished their ultimate goal.

The Black Hawks defeated District 3 champion, Red Land, 4-2 in the PIAA title game at Penn State University’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Thursday afternoon.

It was their second state title in program history and first since 1988.

On their path to the state title game, Bethel Park defeated District 3 runner-up, Northern, 5-1, in the first round, District 11 champion, Southern Lehigh, 7-2 in quarterfinals and District 6 champion, Central Mountain, 1-0, in the semifinals.

The pitching carried the Black Hawk throughout the playoffs, and it was no different in the title game.

Senior Eric Chalus, a Kent State commit, held the potent Red Land offense in check. The lefty battled through six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out six and got out of a couple late inning jams.

Closer Cody Geddes was able to escape a jam of his own in the seventh inning which saw the tying run on second base to clinch the state championship.

Bethel Park jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, making it easier for their pitching staff.

Geddes contributed with the bat as well, ripping a two-run triple in the first inning, scoring Chalus and David Kessler. Geddes came around to score on an RBI groundout by Zachary Sackett.

They pushed the lead to 4-0 with a RBI single by Kessler in the second inning.

Soltes Slams Bethel Park To First WPIAL Softball Title

It didn’t take long for junior Sandra Soltes to put her stamp on the Class 6A WPIAL Softball Championship Game.

Thanks to Soltes’ first inning grand slam, No. 1 and undefeated Bethel Park never trailed against No. 6 Canon-McMillan in its 9-2 win at California University of Pennsylvania’s Lilley Field.

The Black Hawks third win of the season against the Big Macs gave them their first WPIAL softball championship in program history.

Canon-McMillan cut the deficit in half at 4-2, but Soltes and Bethel Park responded to put the game out of reach.

Soltes delivered a two-run single and then came around to score on a wild pitch to make it 7-2. She would also put the finishing touches on with a two-run home run. The Pitt recruit finished the day 3-for-4 with eight RBI and two home runs.

Bethel Park will play District 3 third-place team, Penns Manor, on Monday at Norwin High School at 4 p.m. in the PIAA first round.

North Hills Softball Wins First Title in 21 Years

The North Hills softball team is back on top, winning their first WPIAL Championship since 2000. The No. 8 Indians did so in convincing fashion, defeating No. 7 Armstrong, 12-2 in five innings, at California University of Pa’s Lilley Field.

Armstrong jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but once North Hills’ bats got started, their was no stopping them. The Indians broke the game open with a seven run third inning.

The biggest contribution came out of the No. 9 spot in the lineup. Sophomore Hanna Murphy went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI.

Senior Melanie Taylor, junior Maria Chutko, senior Grace Scheller, and junior Kyra Blauth all recorded two hits for the Indians.

Junior Sophia Roncone picked up the win in the circle.

North Hills will face Fox Chapel in the Class 5A PIAA First Round on Monday.

Tigers Win Record 8th WPIAL Baseball Crown with 4-0 Shutout of Hempfield

North Allegheny became the first school in WPIAL history to win an eighth baseball championship with a 4-0 shutout of Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A title game at Wild Things Park in Washington, PA.

The Tigers had been tied with Allegheny and McKeesport with seven WPIAL crowns before winning their eighth on Tuesday night.

For the full recap, click here.

Franklin Regional Walks Off For WPIAL Title

Senior Andrew Muraco delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh to lift No. 1 Franklin Regional to a 2-1 win against No. 2 Bethel Park in the Class 5A WPIAL Championship Game on Tuesday afternoon at Wild Things Park. Senior Luke Treloar scored the winning run.

It was the third title in program history, and first since 2001.

Down 1-0 entering the top of the seventh, the Black Hawks tied the game up with one out to go on a RBI single by pinch hitter, Jack Sackett to score David Kessler who reached on an error.

The Panthers opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth when senior Timmy Quinn doubled and came around to score on an errant throw to first base on a sacrifice bunt.

Senior Brian Pirone was the ace on the mound for the Panthers that silenced Bethel Park’s bats.

Franklin Regional will face the loser of West Allegheny and Peters Township in the PIAA first round on Monday. Bethel Park will face the District 3 runner-up

TIGERS CAP 27-1 SEASON WITH PROGRAM’S FIRST PIAA CHAMPIONSHIP

The North Allegheny girls’ basketball team won its first-ever PIAA championship on Friday night with a 55-40 victory over the Spring Ford Rams in the Class 6A title game at the Giant Center in Hershey. The victory culminates a dazzling 27-1 season for the Tigers.

Appearing in the state championship game for the second time, and first since 2017, the Tigers led most of the night and trailed only once in the game, 3-2 in the first quarter on a 3-pointer by Spring Ford senior Emily Tiffan.

For full recap, click here.

Chartiers Valley Earns Chance To Defend PIAA Title

The Chartiers Valley girls basketball team won the state championship in 2019. After the postseason was cut short last year due to COVID-19, the Colts (25-3) will have a chance to defend that title after cruising to a 50-33 win against District 3 champion, Spring Grove, in the Class 5A semifinals on Tuesday at Bald Eagle Area High School.

The Colts were in control from the start, jumping out to an 11-3 lead after the first quarter. Both teams played a pretty even second quarter that allowed the WPIAL champions to enter the locker room with a 22-16 halftime lead.

Chartiers Valley opened the game up in the third quarter, outscoring Spring Grove 22-12.

Junior Perri Page finished with a 15-point, 16-rebound doub;e-double to lead the Colts. Juniors Aislin Malcolm and Helene Cowan added 12 points.

Chartiers Valley will face District 12 champion, Cardinal O’Hara, at the Giant Center in hershey on Saturday at 5 p.m. for the state title.

NA ADVANCES TO PIAA CHAMPIONSHIP, CRUISES PAST CUMBERLAND VALLEY, 66-40

The North Allegheny girls’ basketball team punched its ticket to the PIAA Class 6A championship for the second time in program history, and first time since 2017, with a convincing 66-40 win over Cumberland Valley on Monday night.

In the PIAA semifinal matchup with the Eagles, the Tigers earned a mercy-rule win for the third consecutive playoff game. NA mercy-ruled Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL championship game and McDowell in the PIAA quarterfinals in the two games prior.

For the full recap, click here.

Short-Handed USC Advances to State Semifinals

With only six players available and led by a volunteer coach due to COVID-19, the Upper St. Clair boys basketball team showed the grittiest effort of the season, coming away with a 62-57 win against District 10 champion, Erie High School, in the Class 6A PIAA Quarterfinals.

The Panthers (21-1) held a 26-24 lead at halftime, but came out and opened the third quarter on a 14-5 run to push the lead to double digits.

Erie kept on pushing back but USC, who finished the game with five players, made their free throws and were able to maintain the lead and the win.

Senior David Pantelis finished with a game-high 23 points. Classmates Luke Gensler and Ethan Dahlem put in 19 and 14 points, respectively.

Upper St. Clair will face District 3 champion, Reading, on Tuesday in the state semifinals at a site and time to be determined.

Chartiers Valley Cruises Into State Semifinals

The Chartiers Valley girls basketball team continued their dominant run with a convincing 61-38 win against District 10 champion, Warren, on Saturday in the Class 5A PIAA Quarterfinals.

The host Colts (24-3) are the defending state champions from two years ago and is fresh off a WPIAL title.

A 13-0 run in the third quarter and stellar defense in the second half led the Colts to victory. They allowed on 13 total points in the second half.

The strong junior class led the way once again with Perri Page scoring a game-high 19 points. Hallie Cowan and Aislin Malcolm put in 16 and 11 points, respectively.

Chartiers Valley will face District 3 champion, Spring Grove, on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.