WJPA Sports

Bentworth scored two runs just three batters into the game, then made it stand up, beating Chartiers-Houston in the 2A softball semifinals. Sydney Gonglik doubled to open the game and Sofia Gaussa was hit by a pitch. When the Chartiers-Houston catcher lost a passed ball, Gonglik scored and Gaussa moved to third. Makayla Gonglik singled to make it 2-0, three batters in.  The Bucs got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Taryne Drilak singled to score Lauren Rush before Sydnet Gonglik retired the final four batters to put Bentworth into the WPIAL Final for the second time in three years. Bentworth will play Neshannock. The Lancers have won the last four WPIAL 2A titles.

Carmichaels exploded for nine runs over the final three innings, knocking West Greene into the 3rd place consolation game. Carys McConnell stroked a two-run home run, breaking a scoreless tie in the fourth. The Mikes sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth, then McConnell tripled to drive in a run and scored one batter later in the sixth to set the final score. Carmichaels will play Union, the defending 1A champion. The Scotties have won three of the past four championships. Union knocked Jeff-Morgan into the third-place qualifier, scoring nine times in the first inning.  Watch/Listen Here 

Days & times for the WPIAL Baseball & Softball Championships & PIAA Qualifiers will be released on Friday.

Thursday, May 21–Softball Semifinals — WPIAL Softball Brackets
2A #3 Bentworth > #2 Chartiers-Houston, 2-1  Watch/Listen Here
1A #2 Carmichaels > #3 West Greene, 9-0
1A #1 Union > #5 Jeff-Morgan 17-7 (6)

Fort Cherry scored four times over the first two innings on the way to a 4-1 win over Riverview, putting the Rangers into the WPIAL baseball finals for the first time since their 1986 championship run. Ryan Huey got the win, allowing just one run and three hits over 6.2 innings. The left-hander also drove in one run and scored another for The Fort who will take on Neshannock next week with the 2A title on the line. The Rangers also clinched a berth in the PIAA tournament.

Canon-McMillan trailed 4-0 before getting the bats going, then scored three times in the bottom of the seventh but stranded the potential game-tying run as the Big Macs were eliminated. North Allegheny scored the eventual winning run in the top of the seventh when a two-out flyball was lost in the stadium lights.

Wednesday, May 20–Baseball Semifinals — WPIAL Baseball Brackets 
2A #1 Fort Cherry > #4 Riverview, 4-1  Watch/Listen Here
6A #3 North Allegheny > #2 Canon-McMillan, 4-3  Watch/Listen Here

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brandon Lowe hit an inside-the-park home run and Marcell Ozuna drove in two runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Rookie Konnor Griffin extended his hitting streak to eight games with a double on Thursday. He also scored a run and stole a base. Braxton Ashcraft struck out nine in seven innings. He gave up one run on four hits. Lowe hit a fastball that bounced off the top of the wall just inside the left-field foul pole in the first inning. It was the sixth inside-the-park homer in the big leagues this season.