Sports Columns
May 15, 2024

VALLEY SPORTS HISTORY

2014

• The Monessen Middle School softball team moved to 9-2 for the season with a 6-4 victory over Washington.

Dana Vatakis pitched a complete game, striking out 15 and allowing only two hits. Maddie Telegraphis added a double and a triple for the Greyhounds. Monessen resumes play in a doubleheader Monday at California.

• The No. 12 Cal U tennis team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament with a 5-2 loss to No. 6-ranked St. Leo in the quarterfinals. The Vulcans finished the season 15-3 after advancing to the quarters for the seventh time in eight seasons. The Vulcans avoided a doubles sweep as the duo of senior Lucy Sipkova and junior Lucie Rey ended the year on an 11-match winning streak following an 8-5 victory over Pauline Helgesson and Paula Montoya.

2004

• Sunday – no paper

1994

• Sports editor Jeff Oliver wrote that John Reed is the hottest Cougar on a very hot Charleroi baseball team. The Cougars finished the season with a five-game winning streak, earning the team a spot in the WPIAL playoffs. The Cougars are hitting and pitching better now than at any point in the regular season. Even on a team that is hitting at the .400 level, Reed stands out. Oliver wrote that Reed is “hotter than a tar roof in an Alabama July.” He hit a blistering .617 and led the Cougars in hits (22), RBIs (23), triples (four), and home runs (six). In his last six games, Reed is batting .800 and has five homers.

• The Charleroi Ponderosa opened the Fayette County Baseball League on a winning note Mark Bennett and

Shawn Hisiro drew walks with the bases loaded in the sixth inning to force in the tying and winning runs in Charleroi’s 4-3 victory over the Brownsville Stingers. Charleroi loaded the bases on a walk to Gary Riley and singles by Frank Francia and Tony Mordecki. The Stingers had a 3-2 lead with two runs in the fourth inning on RBI singles by Brian Croftcheck and Dave McDowell. Gary Michalowski, who relieved Denny Eulok in the fifth, took the win. Mike Conte homered in the second inning for Ponderosa’s first run with his brother Christian Conte homering in the third.

Charleroi Area School District honors local veterans
Latest News, Main
November 7, 2026
Charleroi Area School District hosted a veterans breakfast Friday morning in the alumni room. Charleroi Elementary Center fifth-graders made signs to welcome the veterans. Displaying their signs are L...
Veterans Day services around the Valley
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main, ...
November 7, 2026
Numerous events are planned to mark Veterans Day around the Mon Valley and Pittsburgh area. Here is a look at some events scheduled to commemorate Veterans Day: Chess Park to be renamed at Monongahela...
AP Delsandro committee donates to Mon Valley Youth and Teen Association
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
November 7, 2026
Thanks to the generosity of donors and fundraiser participants, The AP Delsandro Veterans Memorial Committee donated $2,500 to the Mon Valley Youth and Teen Association. Mary Anne Bandalo, executive d...
Dinner fundraiser launches Mon Valley Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign
Latest News, Main
By MICHAEL VINSICK mvinsick@yourmvi.com 
November 7, 2026
The organization has increased this year’s goal to $60,000. The Mon Valley Salvation Army received a lot of community support at its second annual Red Kettle kickoff dinner Thursday night. The event l...
Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services instructor honored for EMS education
Latest News, Main
November 7, 2026
RWNES President Jan Merlino received the Dr. Walt Stoy Excellence in Education Award. By TAYLOR BROWN Senior Reporter tbrown@yourmvi.com Jan Merlino has spent more than four decades teaching emergency...