Penn-Trafford softball has a Division I pitcher.
The defending PIAA Class 5A champion Warriors again will lean on ace Allyson Paulone to lead the way this spring. The only difference this year is that the standout right-hander has her college commitment in tow.
Paulone, a junior, announced she will play at Mercyhurst, a second-year Division I program in the Northeast Conference.
“The recruiting process certainly has its ups and downs,” Paulone said. “But I’m grateful to have had other incredible opportunities with strong academic and athletic programs. After many prayers and talks with my family, I knew Mercyhurst was home. I’ve built such great connections with the players and coaching staff, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”
Paulone last season finished 20-3 — she set a school record for wins in a season — and posted a 2.08 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 172 innings. She pitched a one-hitter against North Hills in the WPIAL semifinals.
In the PIAA final against Greencastle-Antrim, Paulone tossed a three-hit shutout, sans a walk, in a 2-0 victory at Penn State.
Rematch for Jayhawks
Jeannette will have a different game plan for the WPIAL 2A boys basketball first round Monday night.
The opponent is the same as last year — Brentwood (13-10) — but top-seeded Jeannette (19-1) will be preparing for a new player when the teams tip at 7 p.m.
Spartans senior Deng Mu is a 6-foot-7 center from Africa. He transferred from a school in Trenton, N.J. Mu had 23 points in a 58-41 win over Beth-Center in the preliminary round.
He averages 17 points and 17 rebounds.
Jeannette beat Brentwood, 91-42, last year on the way to its second WPIAL title.
Greensburg Central Catholic (7-16) also will have a playoff rematch in the Class 2A first round. The Centurions will play No. 2 Sewickley Academy (21-1), the team that ended its season in the PIAA semifinals. That game also is 7 p.m. Monday.
Beitel selected
Longtime Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel will serve as an assistant for Team Pennsylvania in the Big 33 Football Classic on May 24 at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field.
Don Holl of Gateway will be the head coach for Team Pennsylvania against Team Maryland in the 69th installment of the prestigious all-star game.
Beitel is the longest-tenured head football coach in Westmoreland County. Next season will be his 21st with the Rams. He will be inducted into the Ligonier Valley Hall of Fame in April.
“It’s a dream come true to be part of the most prestigious high school football game in America,” Beitel said of the Big 33. “And to get to coach for Don Holl and coach the best talent in the state is definitely a career highlight for me.”
Beitel was the head coach of the West in the annual PSFCA East-West all-star game in 2024.
He was an assistant in the same game in 2016. He was on the winning side both times.
Lantzy all-stars
Three Ligonier Valley football players were selected to play in the annual Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic set for 7 p.m. June 12 at Johnstown Trojan Stadium. Linebacker Connor Faas, safety Jacob Petalino and offensive lineman Tony Lonas were chosen.
River Valley senior football player Brody Hutter, a Mt. Pleasant transfer, also was picked for the game.
All four players will suit up for the South team.
The game features top senior players from central Pennsylvania, many from PIAA District 6.
Hutter, a running back and linebacker, is a Division II West Liberty commit.
This season, he rushed for 677 yards and 10 touchdowns and had 50 tackles, six for loss.
Lufts ranked
Two incoming Hempfield freshman softball players and one from Latrobe made the Extra Inning Softball Class of 2029 Power Rankings.
Pitcher Jayelyn Luft and infielder Jocelyn Luft, who will play for their mom, Tina Madison, at Hempfield, and outfielder Morgan Maiers of Latrobe are top 20 picks.
Jocelyn Luft is No. 12, Jocelyn Luft No. 19 and Maiers No. 15.
Recruiting
• Latrobe senior football player Lucas Kolenc, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman, committed to play at Division II Frostburg State. Kolenc played guard, tackle and long-snapped for the Wildcats.
• Hempfield record-breaking quarterback Dom Detruf is staying close to home to play at Division III Saint Vincent. Detruf threw for 2,266 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, and finished with a program-record 5,202 yards and 46 TDs in his career.
• Kendall Waters, a junior softball player at Mt. Pleasant, committed to Cal (Pa.) of the Division II PSAC. Waters is an outfielder for the Vikings.
• Baseball players Noah Rattigan of Jeannette and Anthony Marrow of Penn-Trafford will play at Westmoreland County Community College.