For a week and a half, weather has not been a factor in the WPIAL baseball and softball playoffs.
Sure, the mercury has swung from temps in the 40s last week to near 90 degrees Monday. However, the wet stuff has stayed away … until Wednesday. In fact, there is a chance of rain or storms each day for the rest of the week.
All eight semifinal baseball games are set to be played on turf Wednesday.
In Class 6A, it’s been eight years since Canon-McMillan raised district gold on the baseball diamond.
The Big Macs defeated North Allegheny, 2-1, to capture the Class 6A title in 2018.
Now they meet in the semifinals as No. 2 Canon-McMillan battles No. 3 North Allegheny at Ross Memorial Field at the W&J Sports Complex in Washington at 7 p.m.
The Section 2-6A co-champion Big Macs are 16-5 after beating champion Seneca Valley in the quarterfinals, 16-1.
Nico Patrages was 2 for 3 with a home run and five RBIs for Canon-Mac.
The Section 1-6A runner-up Tigers weren’t as explosive in the quarterfinals, but they blanked Hempfield, 2-0.
Liam Cooper got the win, allowing only three hits as NA improved to 13-8.
In the other 6A semifinal, top-seeded Butler takes on No. 4 Norwin at North Hills at 4 p.m.
The Section 1-6A champion Golden Tornado made it 12 consecutive victories with a quarterfinal win over Mt. Lebanon in eight innings, 3-2.
Karsten Lenyk drew a bases-loaded walk for the game winner as Butler is now 18-3 this season.
The Section 2-6A co-champion Knights are now 13-8 after coming back to beat Central Catholic, 4-3, on Monday.
Norwin trailed 3-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but rallied for four runs to pick up the dramatic win.
4A final four frays
Last year, Indiana and Elizabeth Forward battled in a memorable Class 4A baseball championship game, won by the Little Indians on a walk-off home run.
The two could meet again in the title game this year, but No. 13 Derry and No. 6 Hopewell stand in the way of a rematch.
Defending district and state champion Indiana (16-4) goes up against Derry (9-9) at Plum at 4 p.m.
The Little Indians did what they do this time of year on Monday: They won a close pitchers’ duel.
Chase Force had three hits and two doubles as Indiana blanked Knoch in a 4A quarterfinal, 1-0.
Max Dohery has been the hitting star for the Trojans this postseason.
He has had a double and two RBIs as Derry has eliminated Beaver in the first round, 2-1, and Hampton in the quarterfinals, 5-2.
The Little Indians swept the Trojans in their early April section series by scores of 8-2 and 10-3.
In the other semifinal, No. 2 Elizabeth Forward (15-5) is challenged by Hopewell (16-5) at Ross Memorial Field at the W&J Sports Complex in Washington at 4 p.m.
The Warriors opened the postseason Monday with a victory over rival West Mifflin, 5-1.
Kameron Little came up big for EF with a double and three RBIs.
The Vikings cruised past Valley in the quarters, 7-1.
Charles Smetana was 3 for 3 with two RBIs while Kingston Krotec picked up the win for Hopewell.
Their time to shine
While the other three WPIAL Class 2A baseball quarterfinal winners Monday were in a dogfight, one team cruised to the final four in a month in which they usually shine.
No. 2 Neshannock (17-3) opened up the postseason with a one-sided win. Now the Lancers are set to take on No. 3 South Side (15-3) in a battle of section champions at Seneca Valley at 4 p.m.
The Lancers, who have won six district crowns, blanked Apollo-Ridge in the quarterfinals, 10-0.
Anthony Eakin was 3 for 4 with four RBIs for Neshannock.
The Rams edged New Brighton in the quarters, 5-4.
Dawson Frasier was the winning pitcher for South Side and also delivered two hits and two RBIs.
In the other semis matchup, top-seeded Fort Cherry (17-1) goes up against No. 4 Riverview (14-6) at Gateway at 4 p.m.
The Rangers advanced with a third win this season over section rival California, 11-7.
Tyler Wolfe had three hits, a double, home run and three RBIs for Fort Cherry.
The Raiders are running on Duncan this postseason.
Miles Duncan had the game-winning hit in the eighth inning in the first-round win over Frazier, and Lukas Duncan was the winning pitcher for Riverview in the quarterfinal triumph over Laurel, 4-2.
Red-hot Academy
Nobody is hotter in Class A baseball than top-seeded Eden Christian Academy.
The Warriors, searching for that elusive first district crown, have won 13 of their last 14 games.
Now the semifinal challenge for Eden Christian (14-4) is No. 4 Western Beaver (12-3) when the two collide Wednesday at the Burkett Complex in Robinson Township at 4 p.m.
The Warriors rolled past Carmichaels in their postseason opener, 12-2.
Noah Emswiler had two hits and three RBIs for Eden.
The Golden Beavers won a wild game over Bishop Canevin, 7-6, to advance to the semis.
August Lichtner had two hits and four RBIs, including the game-winner in the seventh inning.
The other semifinal takes place at Norwin at high noon when No. 2 Greensburg Central Catholic (16-0) battles No. 3 Serra Catholic (13-6).
The Centurions beat Jefferson-Morgan, 4-1, behind Tyler Samide, who was the winning pitcher with 17 strikeouts and hit a home run and drove in three runs.
The Eagles flew past Aquinas Academy in the quarterfinals, 13-3.
Both Max Black and Jake Jellison had three hits for the defending champs.
New champ coming
It paid to have a first-round bye in the WPIAL Class 3A softball bracket, where three of the four teams that did not playing the opening round are on their way to the semifinals.
The lone exception was two-time district champion Mohawk.
Now 3A will crown a new champion not nicknamed the Warriors for the first time since 2023.
The team that delivered the KO punch in eliminating No. 2 Mohawk on Monday was No. 7 Keystone Oaks.
Now the Golden Eagles try to pull off another surprise when they face No. 3 Mt. Pleasant in a semifinal Wednesday at Norwin at 3 p.m.
Keystone Oaks has won 11 in a row and is 16-4 this season. The Golden Eagles outscored Deer Lakes and Mohawk in their two playoff wins, 8-0, thanks to Kennadi Smith.
She had 11 Ks in the first-round win over the Lancers, and then allowed only one hit in the 2-0 victory over Mohawk.
Mt. Pleasant opened up postseason play with a victory over Burrell, 9-4, to improve to 14-4 this season.
Sophia Gregg had two hits, including a double for the Vikings.
In the other 3A semifinal slated for Wednesday, top-seeded South Park battles No. 4 Ellwood City at Deer Lakes at 4 p.m.
The Eagles are now 18-1 after beating Avonworth in the quarterfinals, 2-0.
Sydney Sekely continued her dominant ways by throwing a one-hitter and striking out 20. She also chipped in offensively with a double.
The Wolverines also pitched a shutout, beating McGuffey, 3-0, to bump their record to 10-5.
Amber McQuiston was the winning pitcher, allowing three hits and striking out seven. She also had a double at the plate for EC.
The golden boys
When Shaler won the 2023 and 2024 WPIAL Class 3A boys volleyball championships, it was newsworthy because it marked the second time North Allegheny didn’t capture district gold in back-to-back years since 2002.
The Titans moved to Class 2A before last season, opening the door for the Tigers to regain their Midas touch and win the 2025 Class 3A crown.
Now top-seeded North Allegheny looks to repeat for the 15th time in school history and win its record 24th WPIAL title when it takes on Butler in the Class 3A finals at Peters Township at 8 p.m.
The Tigers advanced Monday with a sweep of Baldwin, 3-0, winning by scores of 25-19, 25-17, 25-13.
It was a much greater struggle for the Golden Tornado in their semifinals victory.
Butler needed five games to dispose of 2025 runner-up Seneca Valley, 3-2. The final scores were 22-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18, 15-9.
In the regular season, North Allegheny defeated Butler twice, both by 3-0 sweeps.
In Class 2A, top-seeded Shaler is one win away from a fourth straight WPIAL boys volleyball championship as it squares off against No. 3 South Fayette at Peters Township at 6 p.m.
The Titans have yet to lose a game in postseason victories over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Thomas Jefferson. Against the Jaguars, Shaler won 25-8, 25-22, 25-23.
The Lions swept past Derry in the quarterfinals, 3-0, and then upended No. 2 Seton LaSalle in the semifinals, 3-2. The scores were 19-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21, 15-12.
Shaler enters the title game with a record of 15-1 while South Fayette is a perfect 18-0.
The Class 3A and 2A consolation matches will take place Wednesday at Moon.
In 3A, Seneca Valley (13-5) takes on Baldwin (15-4) at 7:30 p.m. for a PIAA playoff berth.
In 2A, Seton LaSalle (20-2) will battle Thomas Jefferson (10-8) at 6 p.m. with a state playoff spot on the line.
Class 3A lax finals
The boys and girls Class 3A lacrosse championships take center stage Wednesday with the two title matches at Upper St. Clair.
In the boys finals, No. 4 Pine-Richland will take on No. 3 Shady Side Academy after both ousted the top two seeds in the semifinals Monday.
The match begins at 8 p.m.
Pine-Richland is 11-7 after knocking off top-seeded Mt. Lebanon in the semifinals, 11-10.
The Rams are trying to win their second WPIAL boys lacrosse title and first since 2019 when they beat Mt. Lebanon, 12-5.
Shady Side Academy has a record of 10-5 following a semifinals win over No. 2 Fox Chapel, 7-5.
The Bulldogs are trying to win their third district crown. SSA beat Mt. Lebanon in 2022 in overtime, 12-11, and defeated the Blue Devils in 2014, 7-2.
Back on April 14, Shady Side Academy defeated Pine-Richland, 12-5.
This is only the fourth time the Mt. Lebanon boys lacrosse team did not reach the WPIAL title match since 2009.
The Blue Devils girls team did, however, reach the 3A championship match.
No. 1 Mt. Lebanon will take on No. 2 Pine-Richland at 6 p.m.
The Blue Devils improved to 16-1 this season with a convincing semifinal victory over Fox Chapel, 18-6.
Mt. Lebanon is trying to three-peat with a win, which would give the program its eighth district championship.
The Rams knocked out Upper St. Clair in the semis, 13-8, to bump their record to 16-3.
Pine-Richland has won three girls lacrosse crowns with the latest coming in 2023.
This marks the fourth straight year the two have met in the WPIAL 3A girls lacrosse finals.
The Rams won 13-12 in 2023 and the Blue Devils won the last two years by scores of 16-11 in 2024 and 16-15 a year ago.
Consolation lax – Day 1
The four district lacrosse consolation matches will take place Wednesday and Thursday.
Here are the two Class 2A matches Wednesday to determine a PIAA playoff berth:
• In boys 2A, Hampton (14-5) will take on Peters Township (15-3) in a clash of the top two seeds in the 2A brackets at North Allegheny at 7:30 p.m.
• In girls 2A, Hampton (13-5) goes up against South Fayette (11-7) at 6 p.m. The two played May 7 with the Lions beating the Talbots, 10-3.
Tuesday on Trib HSSN
There are nine broadcasts you can watch or listen to at TribHSSN.TribLive.com on the 19th day of May.
WPIAL Baseball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 5A Quarterfinals: Bethel Park vs. Thomas Jefferson at 4 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Baseball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 5A Quarterfinals: Montour vs. Pine-Richland at 4 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Baseball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 5A Quarterfinals: Upper St. Clair vs. Moon at 6:30 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Baseball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 5A Quarterfinals: South Fayette vs. Penn-Trafford at 6:30 p.m. on the Westmoreland Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Baseball Playoffs Video Stream – Class 3A Quarterfinals: Riverside vs. South Allegheny at 4 p.m. on Lawrence County Sports Net at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Baseball Playoffs Video Stream – Class 3A Quarterfinals: Burrell vs. Ellwood City at 6:30 p.m. on Lawrence County Sports Net at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Baseball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 3A Quarterfinals: Charleroi vs. Avonworth at 4 p.m. on WJPA at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Softball Playoffs Video Stream – Class 4A Quarterfinals: Laurel Highlands vs. Blackhawk at 6 p.m. on WMBS-AM 590, WMBS-FM 101.1 at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Softball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 6A Quarterfinals: Canon-McMillan vs. Hempfield at 5 p.m. on WJPA-AM 1450 at TribHSSN.TribLive.com