What’s coming up: 4/16/24

Posted on: by Big 56 Conference

by: Don Rebel

SUN SHINES ON CLASS 5A BASEBALL RACES

We begin the second half of April with another busy day of WPIAL section series baseball with sunshine and temps in the 70s.

It is the second of back-to-back games around the district, thus concluding key series up and down Class 5A.

In Section 1-5A, Franklin Regional (5-0, 7-3) welcomes Fox Chapel (5-2, 6-3) to Haymaker Park in Murrysville.

Following Monday’s 9-6 win, the Panthers have a one-game lead over Penn-Trafford and are two games up over the Foxes.

In Section 2-5A, neighbors Bethel Park (3-1, 4-3) and Peters Township (1-3, 3-6) continue their long standing rivalry as the two do battle at Purkey Field in Bethel Park at 4 p.m.

Also in Section 2, Connellsville (3-2, 5-5) travels to South Fayette (3-2, 4-2) a day after the Falcons knocked off the Lions, 5-4.

Coming into this week, Shaler (5-1, 9-1), North Hills (4-1, 6-2) and West Allegheny (3-2, 5-2) were tied for first place in Section 3-5A.

On Monday, the defending champion Titans crushed the West A Indians, 12-0, while the NH Indians defeated Moon, 14-7.

Those series conclude Tuesday with Shaler visiting the West Allegheny while North Hills hosts Moon.

LET’S MAKE UP

The Tuesday WPIAL softball slate is littered with games that were postponed due to cold and wet conditions the last two weeks.

A year ago, West Allegheny was the No. 4 seed in the district Class 5A playoffs, and after scoring 18 runs in a first-round win over Fox Chapel, the Indians looked poised to make another title run.

However, a young section foe ended West A’s season suddenly.

South Fayette freshman pitcher Emma Early struck out 13 while Rylee Rohbeck drove in two runs as the No. 12 seed Lions upset the Indians, 4-3.

On Tuesday, the two tango at South Fayette for the first time this season with first-place implications in Section 3-5A.

West Allegheny is 2-0 in the section and 8-1 overall while South Fayette is 3-1 in the section and 5-1 overall.

• In the logjam that is Section 4-5A, Connellsville (2-1, 6-3) visits Bethel Park (2-2, 4-2) and Peters Township (1-2, 4-5) hosts Thomas Jefferson (2-1, 4-3).