Franklin Regional opened the baseball season with three wins in four games, with two victories coming out of state.
After a 10-4 win over Fox Chapel in a rare season-opening home game that wasn’t postponed because of weather, the Panthers defeated DePaul Catholic (N.J.), 1-0, and Glenelg (Md.), 6-0, in Vero Beach, Fla.
Their lone loss on the road trip was a 7-6 setback against Neosho, Mo.
In the win over Fox Chapel, Liam Bernadowski doubled, tripled and had an RBI; Luke Williams had two hits, two RBIs and three runs; and Anthony Mitchell went 4 for 5 with a double and three RBIs.
Nico Fioravanti pitched a complete game with five strikeouts, and Williams had two hits in the DePaul Catholic win.
Against Glenelg, Bernadowski had two doubles and Mitchell and Tim Pirone had one each.
The Panthers took a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but gave up two scores, including the game-winner on a wild pitch.
Dillon Porado drove in two runs and Pirone doubled in the loss.
The Franklin Regional softball team was seeking its first win under new coach Maddie Uschock.
The Panthers dropped four games at the Ripken Experience in Pigeon Force, Tenn., before returning home and dropping a 10-0 decision to Plum in six innings.
Boys lax wins
Grant Novotny scored four goals and Matt Kukura added three to power the Franklin Regional boys lacrosse team to a 10-6 win over North Hills.
The Panthers scored six times in the first period and didn’t look back.
All-stars rescheduled
The PIHL rescheduled its annual all-star games for March 29 at Robert Morris Island Sports Center on Neville Island.
The games were set to be played after the Penguins Cup and Pennsylvania Cup playoffs.
Two Franklin Regional players were picked for the Class 3A Gold roster: forwards Joey Casella and Brendan Yohe.
Two other Panthers players made the 3A Blue team: forward Ryan Crouse and defenseman JJ Tensuan.
Soccer rule changes
The National Federation of State High School Associations announced several rule changes for boys and girls soccer, effective this fall.
Among them are updates to carding, penalty kick encroachment, goalkeeper release time and the usage of devices.
• A new process for distributing yellow and red cards has a referee holding a card and indicating the player, coach or bench being flagged. Referees will show a second yellow, and then a red, for an ejection. They will direct any ejected players to leave the field.
Also, referees must tell both coaches and the other officials why the card was issued.
• Players taking a kickoff must be on their side of the field. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the other team if a player who took the kickoff touches the ball before it is touched by the opponent.
• Regarding free kick fouls, “a player shall not charge into or challenge an opposing goalkeeper who is controlling the ball with their hands.”
This does not apply once a keeper leaves the penalty area.
• Goalkeepers will have 8 seconds — instead of 6 — to release the ball. A corner kick will be awarded if the keeper holds the ball past 8 seconds.
• Rule 12-2-3 is interesting because it involves biting. Yes, as in the sinking of one’s teeth into another player. A player is not permitted to bite or spit at anyone, or a free kick will be awarded.
• “Other verbal offenses,” as in foul or derogatory language, will be a foul and also will result in an indirect free kick.
• On indirect free kicks, dangerous plays — “actions preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury” — will be addressed.
• On penalty kicks, encroachment will be penalized only if “the offense has a clear impact” on the PK.
• Lastly, no player is permitted to wear an audio or video device on the field of play.
Recruiting
• Franklin Regional senior Tyler Quinn plans to play at Westmoreland County Community College. Quinn is an outfielder and pitcher.
• Jose Balza of Franklin Regional will continue his golf career at Westmoreland County Community College.
College watch
Updates on Franklin Regional athletes playing in college.
Baseball
Penn State Behrend: Senior catcher Thomas Nicely (Franklin Regional) went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs as the Lions defeated Penn State Altoona, 8-3.
The homer was the fifth of his career.
Nicely was a recent AMCC Player of the Week.
Softball
Kent State: Freshman Ciara Camacho hit her first college home run and drove in two runs in a 7-1 win over Buffalo.
Women’s lacrosse
Grove City: Junior Gwen Shilling scored four goals as the Wolverines posted their fourth straight win, 16-11 over Washington & Jefferson.