Local roundup
Connellsville and Brownsville tennis teams fall in playoffs
Connellsville boys tennis coach Don Campbell knew the final score would be 3-2, and he was hoping the Falcons would be the team with the three matches in their WPIAL Boys Class AAA Team Tennis Tournament first round match. However, it was Latrobe with the three wins as the Wildcats advanced to face top-seeded Fox Chapel in the quarterfinals.
The match was originally scheduled for Connellsville, but was moved to the Greensburg Racquet Club due to the inclement weather.
The key match of the day was No. 1 doubles with Latrobe’s Brian and Ben Forte facing the Falcons’ undefeated duo of Steve Lucas and Matt Ratai. The Connellsville pair lost the first set 6-4 and trailed 5-2 in the second set before rallying to tie the set at 6-6. The Fortes held on to win the tiebreaker, 7-3, for the important victory.
“We had to win No. 3 singles and both doubles,” Campbell said. “No. 1 doubles was the pivotal match. Steve and Matt had a tough time getting started. They rallied from 5-2 in the second set, but it was too big of a hole.
“It was the first match loss all year. They were a big part of getting us where we were today.”
Everything else fell into place as Campbell expected in his hope to secure the Falcons’ second 3-2 victory of the season over the Wildcats.
Gene Cunningham defeated Nathan Weberdine 6-3, 6-2, at No. 3 singles. The No. 2 doubles team of Steve Haines and Randy Richter won in straight sets over Mila Perchar and Chris Sciullo.
Tyler Wiesel got things started for Latrobe with a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 1 singles over Ryan Hornick. Nathan Strumph kept the momentum going at No. 2 singles with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Josh Martin.
Campbell was a little disappointed with the move indoors, hoping to rally some local support for the match.
“The match had to be played today. I would’ve have preferred to play outside, but it was a late decision to move indoors. We had a number of supporters against Hempfield and I think that helped. I was hoping for the same thing today,” Campbell said.
Despite the first round loss, Campbell had nothing but praise for his Falcons, who shared the Section 5-AAA crown with Hempfield.
“I am very pleased with this year. We had a lot of guys in their first year of starting. This is one of the best groups I’ve had. The worked hard to develop.”
Connellsville finishes the season with an overall record of 15-3. Latrobe advances with a 12-3 mark.
Washington 3, Brownsville 2 – It’s tough to win when a team has to forfeit one of five matches, and that’s exactly what the Falcons had to deal with in their Class AA first round loss to the Prexies.
Brownsville boys tennis coach Dan LoNigro brought only six players so he had to forfeit No. 3 singles to Washington’s Scott Pizzi. LoNigro believed the Falcons had a shot with a full team.
“If we have seven guys, I think we win,” said LoNigro.
Brownsville swept the doubles with the No. 1 team of Neil Chafin and Luke Lucostic shutting out Greg Kittrideg and Matt Mayer. No. 2 doubles team of Ian Glumac and Elliott Sally secured 6-4, 6-4 sets to defeat Phil Hartger and Nick Pizzi.
Washington’s Seth Tidrick defeated Ryan Minor at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 6-4. Keith Williams shut out Josh Seelye to win at No. 2 singles.
“I was a little disappointed we weren’t (Section 1-AA) co-champions with Greensburg Central Catholic. That’s the way it goes,” said LoNigro.
The Falcons finish the season with an 8-4 record. The Prexies (8-3) advance to face second-seeded South Park in the quarterfinals.
Girls softball
Geibel Catholic 19, Frazier 0 – The Section 6-A game took about a week to finish, but the wait was worth the three inning victory because it kept the Lady Gators’ playoff hopes alive.
Geibel (5-4, 7-6) is scheduled to host California this afternoon at 4 p.m. A victory would pull the Lady Gators into a second place tie with the Lady Trojans. A loss knocks Geibel out of the playoffs. California has already clinched a playoff berth.
Emily Pennington led the 9-hit attack with two doubles and five RBIs. Laura Campbell stroked a two-run triple. Ashley Gardner allowed one hit with three strikeouts and no walks.
Women’s softball
California (Pa.) 10, Indiana (Pa.) 0 – The Lady Vulcans evaded the rain drops long enough to open the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament with a six-inning victory.
Amber Riegel simply controlled the game for the victors, pitching a four-hit shutout while going 3-for-3, including two home runs, with two RBIs and scoring two runs. Kristin Heslop hit a home run with three RBIs.
Daysha Grimes went 2-for-3 with an RBI while fellow Carmichaels grad Abby McMinn singled with a run scored and an RBI.
Belle Vernon graduate Erica Templin went hitless for Indiana.
California advances to the winner’s bracket in the double-elimination tournament while Indiana drops to the loser’s bracket.