The calendar still says March, but is it too early to proclaim a WPIAL baseball section series could eventually determine who is on top in early May?
After a great start last week, a battle for first place is set for this week in Section 3-5A, beginning Monday with Pine-Richland visiting Fox Chapel at 4 p.m.
The Rams are 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the section after sweeping section games against Mars last week.
The Foxes lost their first two games in 2026, but have now won three straight, including taking both section games from 2025 district champion Shaler.
Last season, the Rams and Foxes split with Pine-Richland winning at home 7-4, then Fox Chapel picking up a victory on its home turf the following day, 3-2.
Watch Pine-Richland at Fox Chapel on Trib HSSN.
Also in Section 3-5A, New Castle opens up section play by visiting Mars.
Defending champs vs. top-ranked team
Two of the top small school baseball programs are set to collide for the first of two games that could become more once the postseason arrives.
WPIAL Class A top-ranked Eden Christian Academy visits 2025 champion Serra Catholic at Little Boston Field in Elizabeth at 4 p.m.
The Warriors have yet to play a section game, but they have been slow out of the gates with one win in their first four games.
Eden Christian has given up a combined 39 runs in a win over Laurel and losses to New Castle, Steel Valley and Seneca Valley.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are flying high at 5-1 overall thanks to their pitching. In their five victories, they have four shutouts.
Serra Catholic’s lone loss was to Class 3A Valley in nine innings.
The two split in their regular season series with Eden Christian winning at home 10-5, followed 24 hours later by a Serra Catholic one-sided win, 13-1.
Watch Serra Catholic host Eden Christian Academy on Trib HSSN.
4A frays in softball
It is still early days in WPIAL softball section play, but first place in two of the three sections in Class 4A are up for grabs Monday.
In Section 2-4A, Laurel Highlands is home to 2024 district champion Elizabeth Forward at 4 p.m.
The Mustangs have only played two games this season, but both were section victories.
In wins over Ringgold and Oakland Catholic, Laurel Highlands has outscored opponents, 16-3.
The Warriors split two games in Florida, and then they returned home for two section victories, also over Ringgold and Oakland Catholic.
EF and LH are tied for first place at 2-0 with West Mifflin while Uniontown sits at 1-1 in section play.
The Elizabeth Forward at Laurel Highlands game can be viewed on Trib HSSN.
In Section 3-4A, a pair of 2-0 teams in the section collide when Beaver visits Blackhawk at 4 p.m.
The Bobcats are 2-1 overall after losing to Shenango in their season opener, then winning their first two section contests over defending 4A district champion Hampton and Central Valley.
The Cougars have only played twice, and both times were also section triumphs over Central valley and Hampton.
North Catholic is 1-0 in Section 3-4A action. The Trojans visit Hopewell in a nonsection contest Monday.
Monday on Trib HSSN
There are six broadcasts and two podcasts you can watch or listen to at TribHSSN.TribLive.com on the 30th day of March.
Video Stream: Rebel Yell Podcast with the 2026 WPIAL girls basketball Player of the Year on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
Video Stream: Rebel Yell Podcast with the 2026 WPIAL boys basketball Player of the Year on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Baseball Video Stream – Pine-Richland at Fox Chapel at 4 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Baseball Video Stream – Eden Christian Academy at Serra Catholic at 4 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Softball Video Stream – Elizabeth Forward at Laurel Highlands at 4 p.m. on WMBS-AM 590, WMBS-FM 101.1 at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Softball Video Stream – Ellwood City at Mohawk at 4 p.m. on Lawrence County Sports Net at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys Lacrosse Audio Stream – Everest (Canada) at North Allegheny at 3:15 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Lacrosse Audio Stream – Moon at North Allegheny at 7 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com