State playoffs arrive for 6 area teams

The Serra, SA and TJ baseball teams will be in action today, along with the Bentworth, EF and TJ softball teams.

After a strong showing from Mon Valley schools in the district playoffs, it’s time for six local teams to begin their journeys for a state championship.

Serra Catholic, South Allegheny and Thomas Jefferson’s baseball teams as well as Bentworth, Elizabeth Forward and Thomas Jefferson’s softball squads will all look to compete with the best of the state as they will hope to replicate their success in the WPIAL playoffs.

No Mon Valley school performed better in the District 7 tournament than Elizabeth Forward (20-1), which defeated Hampton, 10-2, in the WPIAL Class 4A championship game. The Warriors captured their first title since 2019 and moved into the state playoffs as one of the favorites.

They will take on the third-place finishers from District 3, Big Spring, at Norwin High School at 1 p.m. today. The winner of their contest will advance to play the winner of District 10 champs Cathedral Prep and Chartiers Valley, which EF defeated in the WPIAL semifinals.

EF is led by senior ace Shelby Telegdy, Julia Resnik, Hannah Evans and Addy Nigut among others as its lineup is full of sluggers. They’ll be hoping to add to their 11game winning streak.

Bentworth (17-4) and Thomas Jefferson (12-8) fell just short of WPIAL gold, but their strong campaigns will continue at the state level.

The Bearcats are set to take on District 5 champions Everett (20-2) at 4:30 p.m. today. That game will be played at Everett High School, just west of Breezewood.

Sydney Gonglik has been the story for Bentworth this season as the freshman pitcher helped the Bearcats allow just 28 runs in WPIAL play.

She has joined Sofia Gaussa, Willow Eckels, Zoie McDonald and Kyleigh Glaze, among others, to power the Section 3-2A champions to a historic season, and they’ll look to keep it going today.

Thomas Jefferson made a somewhat surprising run in the district playoffs, getting all the way to the championship game before losing to Armstrong. That matches the Jaguars with the District 3 runners-up, Solanco (19-5) today at Solanco High School. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

TJ has looked to Zoe Krizan, Addi Bracco, Ali Chalovich and others for offense while freshman pitcher Aubrey Shaffer has grown into her role all year long. Now she’s off to the PIAA Class 5A playoffs for the first time, where she’ll face some of the best competition in the state.

Serra Catholic’s baseball team was the fourth Mon Valley squad to make the district final, but it fell to Seton LaSalle for the second straight season.

Coach Brian Dzurenda is thrilled that his program will be playing in the state tournament as the Eagles will take on District 5 champions North Star (19-4). That game will be played at 4 p.m. today at North Star High School in Boswell.

Tyler Skaggs and Owen Dumbroski lead the way for Serra Catholic on the mound, while leadoff hitter Isiah Petty went 3 for 4 in the championship loss. Zach Black, Max Black, Jake Holmes and Collin Holmes are other big bats in the lineup. The winner will advance to play the winner between District 9’s Redbank Valley (14-6) and Burgettstown (13-5-1), whom the Eagles defeated in the district semifinals.

South Allegheny and Thomas Jefferson played in the Class 3A and Class 4A third-place consolation games, respectively.

The Gladiators (19-5) captured their best district finish in program history by defeating Burrell in that game, which slotted them with Division 6 champions Central Cambria (15-7). That contest will take place at Central Cambria High School in Ebensburg at 6 p.m. today.

South Allegheny coach Gib Pohodich said he’ll decide between Adam Jackowski and Trenton Popovich on the mound as both have been more than capable for this SA team.

Popovich and Jaxson Champ are the best bats in the lineup for the Gladiators, who will be hoping to pick up their first state playoff victory in a long time, and possibly ever.

Thomas Jefferson (19-4) lost the third-place game to Montour to be placed with East Pennsboro (19-2), the first-place finishers in District 3. That game will be played at East Pennsboro in Enola at 4:30 p.m. today.

The Jaguars have enjoyed an exceptional season, but after losing in the district semis and that consolation game, they’ll be looking to make some noise in the state tournament.

Tyler Lesko, Alec Warden, Carter Kirsch and JJ Siemon are among the best bats for TJ, which will hope to start a long run in the PIAA Class 4A playoffs today.