Penn-Trafford went from unranked to No. 1 in the TribLive HSSN Class 5A top-5 rankings after an impressive string of wins. Coach Denny Little doesn’t put much stock in rankings but acknowledges teams will be coming for the Warriors.
Penn-Trafford has beaten defending PIAA champion Thomas Jefferson, North Hills, Shaler, defending WPIAL champion Armstrong, returning WPIAL semifinalist Latrobe and big-hitting Franklin Regional all in a row to prove itself as a viable No. 1.
The tough schedule is bringing out the best in the team.
“Every year, (athletic director) Kerry (Hetrick) calls and says, who do you want to play?” Little said. We want to play the best. It’s a conglomerate (of teams). We beat them so now we have a target on our backs.”
Penn-Trafford opened the season with a loss to 6A power Hempfield.
“The Hempfield loss (in the season opener) lit a fire, I think,” Little said. “We had too many strikeouts. We want to make solid contact.
“I expected us to play well. We have to show up and be ready to play day in and day out.”
Makeup games mounting
Dozens of WPIAL teams are facing a schedule crunch after wet, cold and windy weather wiped out most of last week’s games.
At the start of the week, Ligonier Valley and Yough had combined to play only two games since March 27.
Hempfield had lined up five games in four days this week, including a doubleheader Thursday against Butler.
The Spartans (9-0, 5-0) had their much-anticipated section clash with Seneca Valley (8-1, 6-1) on Tuesday postponed for a second time. A second make-up date has not been set.
Good Friday has traditionally been off limits for games, but that has changed this year with so many backups. Friday’s games include Norwin at Woodland Hills, Gateway at Latrobe, Jeannette at Leechburg, and Southmoreland at Deer Lakes in a doubleheader.
GCC plays
Greensburg Central Catholic finally took the field for a game Monday, opening the season with a 6-0 loss to visiting Serra Catholic.
Kelly Morrissey no-hit GCC, striking out 18.
The Centurions (0-1) have battled low roster turnout and postponements all season. With only 11 players, they decided to play the minimum 12 section games.
Home run derby
A couple of Southmoreland players are hosting a home run derby to raise money for charity.
Makayla Etling and Abigail Grabiak set up the event for noon April 26 at Southmoreland’s home field.
Participants need to bring $15 (cash only) to the event. All proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish.
The winner gets a gift card and all participants will get a T-shirt.
For more information, call 724-243-2096 or 724-241-8728.
Registration ends April 23.
Sister act
Sisters Addy and Elyse Witkoski share more than a bloodline; they also have power in common.
The siblings each hit a home run and combined for six RBIs as Ligonier Valley dumped Deer Lakes, 12-5.
400 club
Jeannette junior pitcher Grace Stein reached a milestone last week when the Jayhawks blanked Ellis School, 10-0.
Stein achieved 400 career strikeouts.
She struck out 12 and allowed two hits, and also doubled, in the victory.
Slugfest Scotties
Southmoreland and Burrell set aside pitching and defense when they met Monday. The teams combined for 28 runs on 30 hits as the Scotties won 17-11 in a wild Section 1-3A game.
There were 13 extra-base hits combined, including six home runs, five by Southmoreland. Riley Puckey hit two and went 3 for 3.
Taylor Doppelheuer also had three RBIs in the win.
Bella Stewart homered for the Bucs.
Southmoreland was coming off a 12-11 loss to Mt. Pleasant, giving it 29 runs in two games.
Going streaking
A few local teams kept winning streaks going at the start of the week.
Hempfield remained perfect at 9-0, while Penn-Trafford won its eighth straight, Derry’s streak reached five and Mt. Pleasant’s hit four.
Ranking ‘em
Undefeated Hempfield moved into the No. 1 spot in the TribLive 6A rankings after Seneca Valley was upset by Pine-Richland, 3-2.
Penn-Trafford stayed at No. 1 in 5A, while Franklin Regional moved into the No. 4 spot.
Mt. Pleasant leapt into No. 5 in 3A, while Jeannette moved up one spot in A, to No. 3.