As the weather heats up, so is the Penn-Trafford baseball team.
The Warriors (10-5, 6-2) were in a three-way tie for second place with Franklin Regional (10-3, 6-2) and Latrobe (9-4, 6-2) in Section 1-5A, a game behind Plum (12-2, 7-1).
Most section teams have four games left with a pair of two-game series. Last place Penn Hills (0-13, 0-10) has one series left.
The Warriors were set to play a two-game series against Kiski Area earlier this week and will finish section play on May 5-6 against Franklin Regional.
Penn-Trafford is the reigning WPIAL Class 5A champion.
“The section won’t be decided until the final week,” Penn-Trafford coach Lou Cortazzo said. “We are starting to play our best baseball. We are putting the ball in play, and they are buying into what we wanted them to do. We are starting to jell and everyone is contributing.”
Penn-Trafford completed a two-game sweep of Penn Hills, winning both games 15-0. Pitcher Rob Andrew tossed a three-inning no-hitter. The Warriors had won four consecutive games, including wins against Class 6A Hempfield and North Allegheny.
“Our tough nonsection schedule has helped us,” Cortazzo said. “We’ve played a competitive nonsection schedule.”
Junior centerfielder Logan Matrisch is leading the offense. He is hitting .435, with seven doubles, two home runs and a team-high 20 RBIs.
“Logan is seeing the ball well,” Cortazzo said. “He’s become a leader by his play.”
Others hitting well are second baseman Dom Delio (.400), sophomore left fielder Aiden Drotos (.391), first baseman Ethan Septak (.311, 13 RBIs) and right fielder Nico Cacciato (.300). Junior catcher Colton Tyburski has risen his average to .286 and senior shortstop Brayden Stone is now hitting .280.
“Jonny Lovre is starting to heat up,” Cortazzo said. “Other than one game, (pitcher) Zach Feldman has played well. Our pitchers have done a great job keeping us in games.”
Feldman is 2-0, Delio is 3-1 and Hunter Brown has been the team’s closer. Delio’s earned run average is 1.43 and Brown’s ERA is 0.48.
“We are playing much better as a team,” Cortazzo said. “Earlier in the season, I was looking for some leaders. Ethan (Septak) has stepped up and has done a nice job keeping this team together.”
After playing Franklin Regional, the Panthers are scheduled to face Central Catholic on May 8.