An early start time Tuesday allowed the Penn-Trafford baseball team to complete its Class 5A Section 1 finale against Latrobe.
“When I saw the weather report predicting severe weather for late in the afternoon, I called my athletic director early [Tuesday] morning and asked him if we could start the game an hour early,” Warriors coach Dan Miller said. “Fortunately, Latrobe agreed.”
The early start time worked to perfection as Penn-Trafford completed its 4-3 victory over Latrobe with only minutes to spare.
“No more than five minutes after the game, our lightning alarm went off, while we were walking to our locker room,” Miller said. “We were so happy to get the game in before the storm hit.”
It was the second time the two teams met in as many days, and the final section match for both squads, and Penn-Trafford (11-4, 7-3) won both games. But Latrobe (10-6, 8-2) claimed the section title.
“We knew going into Monday’s game that Latrobe had clinched the title,” Miller said. “We wanted to show them we are worthy. It’s a big confidence booster with the playoffs coming up.”
Dylan Grabowski pitched a complete game, striking out 10, to pick up the victory. Tyler Freas had three hits for the Warriors and drove in the winning run.
Other baseball
• In a battle of Class 6A ranked teams, No. 2-ranked Mt. Lebanon (11-7, 9-1) capped its Section 2 title with a 2-0 shutout of No. 5 Upper St. Clair (8-6, 5-5). Derrick Shields pitched 6⅓ innings for the win, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 9. He also drove in a run.
• East Allegheny (9-4, 8-2) clinched the Class 3A Section 3 title with an 8-2 road victory over Derry (8-4, 5-3). Michael Cahill pitched a complete game and struck out seven. Nate Waleko, Ryan Rupert and Jax Jurisic had two hits each for the Wildcats.
• Greensburg Central Catholic (8-4, 7-3) capped its Class 1A Section 2 schedule with a 14-2 win over section champion West Greene (11-4, 9-1). Ethan Brody allowed only four hits in five innings to pick up the victory.
Top softball game
• Mia Smith pitched five-hit shutout and struck out 13 to lead Class 5A No. 2 Penn-Trafford (13-1, 9-1) to a 7-0 win over host Latrobe (6-4, 6-3) to clinch the Section 2 title for the Warriors. Smith also had two hits, including a home run.
Top volleyball matches
• In a battle of the top two teams in Class 2A, No. 2 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (12-1, 7-1) recorded a 25-21, 25-16, 25-23 sweep of top-ranked North Catholic (10-3, 6-2) in Section 1. Colin Wiegand had 11 kills and 10 digs, while Jeremy Ciaramello dished out 31 assists. Andrew Ubinger had 16 kills for the Trojans.
• Owen Kelley and Chaz Ewer each recorded 11 kills as Hempfield (10-1, 9-1) posted 25-23, 26-28, 25-12, 25-19 win over No. 6 Penn-Trafford (8-4, 6-3) in Section 3.
First Published: May 4, 2022, 2:29 a.m.
