Kiski Area had lost in the first round of the WPIAL softball playoffs each of the past four years, but the streak ended yesterday when the Cavaliers (13-5) defeated Hempfield (11-9), 5-2, in a Class AAAA first round game at Gateway.

Tara Oravec drove in two runs for the Cavaliers, who notched their first playoff win since 2002.

• Kristen Zelenka struck out 17, leading Trinity (12-6) to a 9-0 rout of McKeesport (13-6) at California University. Ashley Morran led the Trinity offense, going 3 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs.

• Connellsville (11-7), ranked No. 5 in Class AAAA by the Post-Gazette, was shutout, 2-0, by North Allegheny (12-8) at Gateway. Tigers pitcher Deana Tritinger gave up just two hits to earn the win.

• Mt. Lebanon (16-3) handed Gateway (9-11) its fifth consecutive loss, beating the Gators, 4-0, at Shaler. Geena Badolato threw a four-hitter with five strikeouts and Bre Tongel drove in two runs for the Blue Devils.

• Lauren Hanlon's two-run single in the top of the 10th inning helped South Park (14-5) slip past Deer Lakes (12-5), 3-1, at Hampton Community Park.

• Ebony Thrower scored on an error in the bottom of the eighth, lifting defending champion Valley (14-1) to a 1-0 win against New Brighton (15-6) at Shaler. Winning pitcher Caitlin Nealer pitched a three-hitter with nine strikeouts.

• Third-ranked Washington (18-3) rallied from a three-run third-inning deficit to blow past Brentwood (11-8), 17-5, at Fairhaven Park. The Little Prexies had 17 hits in the game, including two home runs from Alexis Lopes and one from Jordan Jackson.

• In a WPIAL Class AA preliminary round game at Mount Pleasant, Christian Leonard scored the game's lone run on a third-inning Jeremy Hixson bunt to give Southmoreland (10-9) a 1-0 victory against Valley (8-7). Valley pitcher Patt Orr had a one-hitter through seven innings for the Vikings, finishing with 14 strikeouts.