News

Photo Credit: @Shaler_Baseball

by: Don Rebel

NORTH HILLS LOOKS TO STAY ATOP TOUGH, BALANCED SECTION

The first time around, the most balanced and competitive section in WPIAL baseball was a split decision with one exception.

While defending Class 5A champion Shaler and Moon split two games, as did Mars and West Allegheny, North Hills sits atop the Section 3-5A after a sweep of New Castle.

The Indians defeated the Red Hurricanes in a Saturday doubleheader, 10-2 and 8-6.

North Hills (2-0, 4-1) has a chance to remain alone on top in the first game of this week’s section series when it hosts Mars (1-1, 3-1) at Herb Field in Ross Township.

The Fightin’ Planets split a pair of one-run games last week, beating West A on Wednesday, 4-3, before falling to the Indians the next day, 6-5.

A year ago, North Hills swept Mars, winning by scores of 5-4 and 3-0.

That turned out to be the difference in the standings as well as North Hills finished in second place behind eventual champion Shaler, one game ahead of both Mars and West Allegheny.

You can watch this game on Trib HSSN at 4 p.m.

The other two games in this section Tuesday include Moon at West Allegheny and Shaler hosting New Castle.

Speaking of North Hills and Shaler, their softball teams meet for first place in Section 1-5A Tuesday.

The Indians and Titans are both 1-0 in the section and are a combined 8-1 overall.

The lone loss among them was when North Hills lost to Pine-Richland.

The game at Shaler begins at 4 p.m.