What to watch for in WPIAL sports on May 2, 2024: Winner takes all when North Allegheny, Pine-Richland meet

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 12:06 AM

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One game will decide a section championship while another will determine a playoff spot.

WPIAL Class 6A baseball concludes Thursday with two postseason-style matchups.

The Section 1 crown will be determined when North Allegheny visits Pine-Richland.

The two district powers were tied for first place coming into this week’s section series showdown.

On Monday, Peyton Ford had two hits and drove in three runs as the Rams held serve at home, hanging on to beat the Tigers, 10-8.

The next night, Andrew Dixon, August Maslo and Mason Smith each had two hits and NA scored five runs in the fourth inning to keep its section title hopes alive, 5-3.

That leaves both the Rams and Tigers at 9-2 atop the section.

Pine-Richland is 15-4 overall while North Allegheny checks in at 13-4.

You can listen to the game on Trib HSSN at 4 p.m.

In the other key 6A game, fourth place and a playoff berth is up for grabs when Canon-McMillan (7-9) visits Central Catholic (9-9).

The Big Macs actually have a one-game lead over the Vikings headed into the section finale.

However, if Central Catholic wins, that would leave both teams with 7-8 section records.

The tie would be broken based on the Vikings’ sweep of the Big Macs this week.

Central Catholic kept its playoff hopes alive with wins Monday and Tuesday over Canon-McMillan by scores of 9-5 and 12-2.

Also closing out the 6A section schedule Thursday, Seneca Valley looks for a sweep of rival Butler, Section 2 champion Mt. Lebanon tries for a third straight win over Baldwin, and Hempfield and Norwin battle for second place in Section 2.

Softball supremacy

Two of the top teams in Class A softball collide Thursday when Chartiers-Houston (13-1) hosts Carmichaels (11-2).

The Buccaneers are a perfect 11-0 in Section 2-A as they attempt to win the section crown outright in their final section contest.

The Mighty Mikes are 8-1 in the section, looking to earn a share of the title with a road victory.

In the first meeting last month, Chartiers-Houston scored four runs in third inning, and then after Carmichaels tied the game in the fourth inning, the Bucs scored two in the fifth to win, 6-5.

WPIAL 3A team tennis quarters

Following a washout of the first round Tuesday, the WPIAL will come back 24 hours after the first round with the Class 3A quarterfinals.

Top-seeded North Allegheny takes the court for the first time in the postseason after receiving a first-round bye when it hosts No. 8 Franklin Regional.

The other second-round matches are:

• No. 4 Fox Chapel hosting No. 5 Mt. Lebanon

• No. 6 Shady Side Academy visits No. 3 Upper St. Clair

• No. 2 Gateway welcomes No. 7 Pine-Richland

All of the quarterfinals matches begin at 3:30 p.m.

2A tennis, Round 2

The WPIAL boys team tennis Class 2A playoffs continue Thursday with quarterfinal action that includes one double-digit seed.

No. 10 Montour made the long trek to No. 7 Indiana on Monday and came away with a 4-1 win.

Now the Spartans try for a second straight surprise when they visit No. 2 North Catholic at Graham Park.

The other three 2A second round matches:

• Top seed and defending champion Sewickley Academy makes its playoff debut following a first-round bye as it hosts No. 8 Valley.

No. 5 Hampton will visit No. 4 South Park while No. 3 Winchester Thurston takes on No. 6 Quaker Valley at the Schenley Sports Complex.

All four matches begin at 3:30 p.m.