Paul Schofield stories, Page 63
Penn-Trafford softball team is reloading for another title run
If the Penn-Trafford softball team’s first scrimmage was any indication, the power lost by graduation will be minimal. The Warriors pounded out seven home runs against Plum, which surprised coach Denny Little. Penn-Trafford isn’t rebuilding. It’s just reloading. “We still have girls who have power,” Little said. “We have some...
Finding pitchers to replace 6 who graduated key for Penn-Trafford baseball team
Most baseball coaches would be concerned after the bulk of their pitching staff graduated. But not Penn-Trafford coach Dan Miller. He is excited to see what players are ready to step up and fill the holes left by the six graduates: Riley Bellan, Trevor Wilson, Tyler Hoover, Zach Hoffman, Tommy...
Franklin Regional learns lesson, returns to finals
The Franklin Regional hockey team learned a valuable lesson when it played South Fayette in the PIHL Class 2A semifinals March 15: don’t underestimate your opponent. Despite routing the Lions, 7-2, during the regular season, the Panthers (18-2) faced a different foe and needed some late-game heroics to pull out...
Mt. Pleasant baseball team ready to see ‘what happens’
The Mt. Pleasant baseball team missed the WPIAL Class 3A baseball playoffs last season by one game. The Vikings look to change that this season. Mt. Pleasant coach Chris Firmstone said he’s optimistic about his team. The Vikings were 6-7 overall and 3-7 in Section 3-3A a year ago. Ligonier...
Despite turnover, Mt. Pleasant softball looking to defend WPIAL, PIAA titles
Mt. Pleasant softball coach Chris Brunson said he’d be doing his team a disservice if he didn’t expect big things from them. So the goals for the Vikings are simple: win the section, qualify for the WPIAL playoffs, win another WPIAL title and then a second consecutive PIAA title. Mt....
With Griffin back, Ligonier Valley softball team looks to make another run
Ligonier Valley’s first season in the WPIAL was a memorable one for the softball team. The Rams (22-3) won their section, reached the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals and made it to their first PIAA championship, losing to Line Mountain, 1-0, in nine innings. “Us being new to the WPIAL and...
New Ligonier Valley baseball coach has high expectations
Ligonier Valley has a new man coaching the baseball team, and he brings a lot of experience. Jason Bush, who is the coach of the Latrobe American Legion team and was an assistant at Chatham, takes over after Brett Marabito resigned to become an assistant principal at Ligonier Valley. Bush...
TJ’s Bilski nets hat trick, FR’s Knizner scores OT winner in Penguins Cup semifinals
Thomas Jefferson scored four second-period goals, including a hat trick by Colby Bilski, and skated past Penn-Trafford, 6-2, in the PIHL Cup Class 2A semifinals Tuesday at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center. . The victory puts the Jaguars in the Penguins Cup championship game against Franklin Regional on...
Hempfield baseball ready to make another run after reaching WPIAL finals
If there was one thing that stood out about the 2021 Hempfield baseball team, it was solid pitching. With the WPIAL’s new pitching rules, playing section games on back-to-back days, the Spartans had the luxury of being deep on the mound. Hempfield finished 16-9 overall and tied with Norwin with...
New leader, same expectations for Hempfield softball team
While there will be a new captain running the Hempfield softball ship this season, first-year coach Tina Madison said the expectations of the program will remain the same. Madison replaces legendary coach Bob Kalp, who retired after the 2021 season after coaching the Spartans for the past 25 seasons and...
2 from WPIAL earn silver medals at state girls wrestling championships
The 2022 MyHouse Pennsylvania Girls High School State Championship was held Sunday at Cumberland Valley High School. The tournament drew nearly 300 wrestlers from 115 schools. The WPIAL had two second-place finishers: Canon-McMillan’s Chloe Ault (136 pounds) and North Allegheny’s Leyna Rumpler (148). Five others earned medals for finishing in...
Burrell’s Hornack finishes fourth, Kiski Area’s Morlacci sixth at PIAA wrestling tournament
HERSHEY — It was an up-and-down PIAA Class 2A wrestling championship for Burrell sophomore Cooper Hornack. There were many highs and a few lows as Hornack ended the tournament with a fourth-place finish in the 120-pound weight class. He dropped a 1-0 decision to Bald Eagle Area junior Coen Bainey....
Latrobe’s Kilkeary, Waynesburg’s Church celebrate 2nd wrestling titles
HERSHEY — Again, the WPIAL showed its might at the PIAA Class 3A wrestling championships. The WPIAL had seven champions, the most by any district in the state, and a total of 33 earned medals over the three-day tournament at Giant Center. Winning their second PIAA titles were Latrobe junior...
Mt. Pleasant’s Dayton Pitzer claims 3rd PIAA title with 100th career pin
HERSHEY — A ritual for Dayton Pitzer after a match is to run sprints. Even after he captured his third PIAA Class 2A title with a first-period pin Saturday at Giant Center, Pitzer was in the hallway running. “I have to keep my cardio up for the (Pittsburgh) classic,” Pitzer...
12 from WPIAL to wrestle for state titles in Class 3A finals
HERSHEY – The WPIAL is guaranteed at least two PIAA champions, but they’re hoping for more. The WPIAL advanced 12 wrestlers to the PIAA 3A championship finals Saturday night at the Giant Center after impressive wins in the semifinals. Finals begin at 7 p.m. The two weight classes with all-WPIAL...
WPIAL roller-coaster ride sends 4 Franklin Regional wrestlers to states
Franklin Regional wrestling coach Matt Lebe said the WPIAL Class 3A championships were like a roller-coaster ride of a two-day tournament. “We were good on Friday,” Lebe said. “Had a little letdown early Saturday, and then we finished strong.” As a result, the Panthers had four wrestlers qualify for the...
Mt. Pleasant’s Dayton Pitzer a win away from 3rd state title
HERSHEY – Mt. Pleasant senior Dayton Pitzer doesn’t have a nickname. If he did, it could be “The Fall Guy.” Pitzer used two pins Friday during Day 2 of the PIAA Class 2A championship at the Giant Center and is one win from becoming the 49th three-time champion in state...
Kiski Area’s Morlacci plays starring role at states, reaching Class 3A semifinals
HERSHEY – Kiski Area senior Enzo Morlacci is a filmmaker. That’s what he plans to pursue after high school instead of going to college and wrestling. So far, Morlacci’s final high school tournament has been a blockbuster. Morlacci won his third match of the PIAA Class 3A championships Friday at...
PIAA Class 3A wrestling championships: How WPIAL wrestlers fared, Day 2
HERSHEY — The PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships continued Friday afternoon at the Giant Center. Here’s a glance at how the WPIAL wrestlers fared on Day 2. The WPIAL advanced 20 wrestlers to the semifinals and 14 others won matches in the blood round to earn medals. 106 pounds Franklin...
PIAA Class 2A wrestling championships: How WPIAL wrestlers fared, Day 2
HERSHEY — The PIAA Class 2A Wrestling Championships continued Friday morning at the Giant Center. Here’s a glance at how the WPIAL wrestlers fared on Day 2. Three advanced to the finals and will wrestle for a state title at 2 p.m. Saturday. Semifinals 106 pounds Burgettstown sophomore Parker Sentipal...
PIAA Class 3A wrestling championships: How WPIAL wrestlers fared on Day 1
HERSHEY — The PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships began Thursday at the Giant Center. Here’s a glance at how the WPIAL wrestlers fared on Day 1. The WPIAL advanced 29 of 52 wrestlers to the quarterfinals. 106 pounds Three WPIAL wrestlers picked up wins in the first round. Latrobe freshman...
Franklin Regional’s Kapusta opens state tournament with big upset
HERSHEY – There were a few upsets and an almost stunner during the first day of the PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championship on Thursday at the Giant Center. At least five highly seeded wrestlers were upset and top-seeded Bellefonte senior Jude Swisher needed overtime to defeat Hempfield junior Lucas Kapusta...
Burrell’s Hornack following game plan at state tournament
HERSHEY – Burrell sophomore Cooper Hornack said he would like to follow the same game plan this weekend that he used in reaching the 106-pound finals in the 2021 PIAA Class 2A Wrestling Championships. He’s off to a good start. Hornack started the first day of the 2022 tournament at...
PIAA Class 2A wrestling championships: How WPIAL wrestlers fared on Day 1
HERSHEY — The PIAA Class 2A Wrestling Championships began Thursday at the Giant Center. Here’s a glance at how the WPIAL wrestlers fared on Day 1. 106 pounds Burgettstown sophomore Parker Sentipal (40-3) advanced to the quarterfinals Friday morning with a solid 6-0 victory against Trinity (District 3) junior Major...
Breaking down the PIAA Class 2A wrestling championships
PIAA Class 2A Championship When: March 10-12 Where: Giant Center, Hershey Schedule • Thursday: Preliminaries and first round, 9 a.m.. First round of consolations, 1:15 p.m. • Friday: Quarterfinals and second round of consolations, 9 a.m. Third round of consolations, 11:45 a.m. Semifinals and fourth round of consolations, 7:30 p.m....
