Don Rebel stories, Page 65
Trib 10: As playoff field dwindles, undefeated WPIAL teams power on
The field of teams from the WPIAL still hunting state gold continues to shrink. In 2021, District 7 sent a record five baseball and five softball teams to Penn State. Last spring, the WPIAL had three baseball and four softball teams qualify for the PIAA state championship games. Now, midway...
Shaler uses long ball to turn tables on Trinity, move on to PIAA semifinals
What a difference two weeks makes. When Trinity faced Shaler 15 days ago in the WPIAL 5A semifinals, the Hillers jumped on top and watched the Titans battle back to tie before winning the game in eight innings. On Thursday in the PIAA quarterfinals, it was Shaler that jumped on...
What to watch for in WPIAL sports on June 7, 2023: 21 baseball, softball teams venture into state quarterfinals
The WPIAL sent a total of 37 baseball and softball teams to the PIAA postseason. The District 7 baseball teams were a combined 9-10 in the first round while the softball squads were a sparkling 12-6 in state openers. Now it’s time for quarterfinals Thursday in the PIAA diamond playoffs....
PIAA quarterfinal matchups set for 11 WPIAL softball teams
The three biggest classifications produced perfection for WPIAL teams in the opening round of the 2023 PIAA softball playoffs. The three lower classes, not so much. WPIAL softball teams in Class 6A, 5A and 4A were a combined 7-0 on Monday in the first round of the state playoffs. It...
9 WPIAL baseball teams learn sites, times for PIAA quarterfinal matchups
The first round of the 2023 PIAA baseball playoffs produced a mixed bag for WPIAL teams. The big bags were dominant as Class 6A and 5A teams from District 7 were a combined 5-0. Teams in the other four classifications were a combined 4-10. Four WPIAL champions — Mt. Lebanon...
What to watch for in WPIAL sports on June 6, 2023: State playoffs begin in volleyball, lacrosse
Baseball and softball aren’t the only spring sports winding down with the start of the PIAA postseason. Boys volleyball and boys and girls lacrosse begin their state playoffs Tuesday. In Class 3A boys volleyball, North Allegheny has won four straight state championships. The last time the Tigers did not win...
Neshannock softball runs record winning streak to 47 with first-round PIAA victory
For having just made history, it seemed like business as usual for the Neshannock softball team after a 9-0 shutout of visiting Penns Valley on Monday in a PIAA Class 2A first-round playoff game. That’s probably because the Lancers have been in the business of nothing but winning these last...
Trib HSSN Baseball Player of the Week for June 4, 2023Video
When a fly ball in shallow center field popped out of the glove of Mt. Lebanon second baseman Brett Hamel in the sixth inning, Blue Devils sophomore David Shields did not know if his no-hitter in the WPIAL Class 6A baseball championship game was still intact or not. Even when...
What to watch for in WPIAL sports for June 5, 2023: PIAA baseball, softball playoffs commence
The WPIAL and the other 11 district baseball and softball playoffs are in the books. All of the winners, along with some of the runners-up and consolation survivors will now turn their full attention to the PIAA diamond postseason over the next two weeks, starting Monday. Baseball Two WPIAL baseball...
Trib HSSN softball team of the week for June 4, 2023Video
The golden history of Hempfield softball is important to second-year coach and former Spartans player Tina Madison. It is so important, she begins each season with a PowerPoint presentation on the accomplishments of the program. “I have a whole presentation on it I give the girls,” Madison said. “It’s my...
Trib HSSN softball player of the week for June 4, 2023Video
The Avonworth softball team has won back-to-back WPIAL Class 3A championships and begins defense of its PIAA state crown Monday. In the center of all this success is junior Alivia Lantzy. Last spring in the WPIAL finals, Lantzy allowed three hits and three walks while striking out eight in the...
Trib HSSN baseball team of the week for June 4, 2023Video
Riverside’s WPIAL Class 3A championship game victory over rival Neshannock was a win for the ages. Or considering the Panthers’ long-time coach, it was a win for the aged. Numbers were the focus after the Panthers defeated the Lancers for a third time this season 6-1. • It was WPIAL...
This week on Trib HSSN for week of June 5, 2023
Now that we are into June, the clock is winding down on the high school sports season, however with the district postseason in the rearview mirror, the focus turns to the state playoffs in the PIAA this week on the TribLive High School Sports Network. Trib HSSN begins our coverage...
Trib 10: WPIAL baseball, softball champions rise in weekly power rankings
Perfection not only brings the gold, it brings a room with a powerful view as we present the district championship edition of the Trib 10. There was only one team change in both the baseball and softball power rankings this week as WPIAL Class A baseball champion Bishop Canevin debuts,...
Trib HSSN state baseball rankings for June 2, 2023
The late, great David Bowie once crooned about “changes,” which we have plenty of on the latest edition of the Trib HSSN baseball rankings before the start of the PIAA baseball playoffs. The end of the district playoffs prompted most of the moves as some ranked teams found the semifinal...
Trib HSSN state softball rankings for June 2, 2023
The larger classifications were hit hard by the district semifinals and finals, prompting plenty of changes in Class 6A, 5A and 4A in this week’s Trib HSSN state softball rankings. Those three classes had three changes each, including new No. 1 teams in 5A and 4A. The three lower classes...
Undefeated Riverside rallies past Neshannock to win 6th WPIAL baseball championship
Riverside rallied from a one-run deficit to score the tying run in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth, giving the Panthers a 6-1 victory over Neshannock in the WPIAL Class 3A baseball championship game Wednesday at Wild Things Park. The win is the sixth district crown for...
What to watch for in WPIAL sports for May 30, 2023: PIAA baseball, softball playoff berths up for grabs
While all eyes the next few days will be on the district golden parties at Wild Things Park in Washington and Lilley Field in California, there are other key games being played in the WPIAL baseball and softball playoffs. Six of the district’s 10 consolation games will be played with...
This week on Trib HSSN for week of May 29, 2023
As you prep for the picnics and cookouts this holiday weekend, there will be plenty of golden treats later this week as we celebrate diamond Championship Week in the WPIAL on the TribLive High School Sports Network. Trib HSSN concludes our exclusive coverage of WPIAL baseball and softball with all...
Trib HSSN softball team of the week for May 28, 2023Video
Veteran Belle Vernon softball coach Tom Rodriguez was actually happy his team didn’t listen to him at Wednesday’s WPIAL Class 4A semifinal softball game. All week, Rodriguez had his team preparing to play undefeated Elizabeth Forward by practicing small ball in an effort to scratch home a couple of runs....
Trib HSSN softball player of the week for May 28, 2023Video
The WPIAL postseason can by a torturous ride with plenty of “Edge of your seat” and “hold your breath” moments. Unless you are the 2023 Montour softball team, which is making the trip through the Class 4A playoff field look like a chill day at the beach. The offense has...
Trib HSSN baseball team of the week for May 28, 2023Video
Aliquippa football has proven it doesn’t matter the class where elite programs play, the victories and championships keep coming. The Neshannock baseball program is definitely among the elite in the WPIAL. Ten years ago, the Lancers were in Class A. Enrollment numbers eventually put them in 2A, where they technically...
Trib HSSN baseball player of the week for May 28, 2023Video
As a sophomore pitcher, Evan Holewinski started a WPIAL quarterfinal game as well as a PIAA first-round and semifinal playoff games. He allowed a total of three runs in his three starts, all Bethel Park victories. Last season, the Kent State recruit pitched a shutout in the district consolation game,...
Trib HSSN state baseball rankings for May 27, 2023
Some surprising results in the various district playoffs around the state have shaken up this week’s edition of the Trib HSSN state baseball rankings. With one more state rankings next week before the start of the 2023 PIAA baseball playoffs, 10 teams lost in their district postseason and dropped from...
Trib HSSN state softball rankings for May 27, 2023
While there were 10 baseball teams that lost in their district playoffs and fell from the PIAA rankings, only six softball teams lost their hold on a Top 5 spot in this week’s Trib HSSN state softball rankings. The six softball teams that exited included two teams from the WPIAL...
