The high school baseball season sprints toward the finish line with about half the teams targeting a May 4th end date. The other half will play one additional week. WJPA’s Stretch Drive coverage began Tuesday afternoon and will continue with the biggest, most important games on-air and online. Following is a team-by-team rundown of the Washington County baseball teams:
6A Canon-McMillan–The Big Macs are alone atop the section again with four games left. Canon-McMillan visits Baldwin Thursday, then wraps up the regular season with a three-game series with Central Catholic next week.
5A Peters Township, Trinity–The Indians moved into sole possession of third place with Wednesday’s win over Upper St. Clair. The Indians face last-place Connellsville in a home-and-home set next week, needing one win to clinch a playoff spot. The Hillers are tied with Upper St. Clair for the last playoff berth, one game better than Connellsville. Trinity faces section leader Bethel Park for two while Upper St. Clair takes on second-place South Fayette to wrap up the season next week. Trinity & USC split their regular season series.
4A Ringgold–The Rams swept Laurel Highlands to move into a three-way tie with the Mustangs and Belle Vernon. Ringgold takes on last-place Albert Gallatin for two games next week.
3A McGuffey–The Highlanders sit in third place, one game up on Waynesburg. McGuffey has two against first-place Yough next week before closing the season May 8-9 against Waynesburg.
2A Chartiers-Houston, Burgettstown, Charleroi, Bentworth, Beth-Center, Wash High–The Bucs, Blue Devils and Cougars have all clinched playoff spots. Bentworth sits in fourth place, one game better than Frazier and Beth-Center. The Bearcats finish section play Monday/Tuesday with a home-and-home against B-C. A Bentworth win clinches a playoff spot. B-C has a pair of games against Wash High May 8-9 but have to win at least one against Bentworth to stay alive. Wash High has to win out and get some help.
1A Avella, California, Ft. Cherry–The Eagles fell out of first place with back-to-back losses to Carmichaels. Californai is tied for first with the Mikes. Avella is now tied for third with up-and-coming Fort Cherry. Avella finishes section play May 1-2 against California. Ft. Cherry has last-place Mapletown for two next week followed by a pair against Jeff-Morgan May 8-9.
Tuesday’s scores:
Canon-McMillan 6, Baldwin 5
Peters Township 10, Upper St. Clair 3
South Fayette 8, Trinity 2
Ringgold 4, Laurel Highlands 1
Brownsville 5, McGuffey 3
Burgettstown 11, Bentworth 1
Chartiers-Houston 15, Wash High 5
Charleroi 11, Frazier 1
Carmichaels 8, Avella 3
Ft. Cherry 4, West Greene 3