Trib HSSN rewind: A look back at the 2019 softball season

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, July 14, 2019 | 10:07 PM

Late-round WPIAL playoff losses can do plenty to motivate teams for the state playoffs.

Finality has its place, but it can wait.

Penn-Trafford (Class 5A) and Frazier (2A) showed just how valuable a second chance can be as both rebounded to win PIAA championships to highlight the 2019 softball season.

The championship banners will be significant: the state titles were the first by a team in the history of each school.

Both teams were powered by bat-pinging lineups that kept the turnstiles moving and produced plenty of offense. Defense, however, played an important role in their state-title runs.

Penn-Trafford overcame a loss to Connellsville in the WPIAL semifinals to win five straight to close the season. Frazier fell to Laurel in the district final before ending the year with four consecutive victories.

Congratulations PT Lady Warriors Softball and Coaches 5A PIAA State Champions! pic.twitter.com/kqrN4zTwzb

— PT Warriors (@PTWarriors) June 14, 2019

Harrison City of Champions! pic.twitter.com/9HNXdZogQO

— PT Warriors (@PTWarriors) June 15, 2019

Thank you Penn Township for the sign assist! Community pride! pic.twitter.com/rK0F4i4ngm

— PT Warriors (@PTWarriors) June 13, 2019

A couple photos of this morning as our Lady Commodores were recognized with PA State Rep. Ryan Warner Congrats again Ladies!! #FrazierPride #GoDores pic.twitter.com/KkPzvox6bp

— Frazier SD Athletics (@Dores_Athletics) June 20, 2019

Hempfield, meantime, continued its championship surge as the Spartans won their fifth WPIAL title in a row — in Class 6A. The Spartans tied Sto-Rox’s record for consecutive WPIAL softball titles.

Veteran coach Bob Kalp and his team fell short of a PIAA four-peat with a loss to Central Dauphin in the PIAA semifinals.

Hempfield Area Softball: Five straight WPIAL (District 7) Championships, five straight trips to the PIAA Semifinals, and three straight PIAA State Championships, all at the highest classification in the state of Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/VWXWYWbut2

— HASDathletics (@HASDathletics) June 12, 2019

Dominance from @HASDathletics! #WPIAL #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/KPtwILtyfg

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) May 30, 2019

More WPIAL repeat winners included West Greene, which captured a fourth straight Class A title; West Allegheny, which made it a three-peat in 5A; Laurel, the back-to-back champion in 2A; while Avonworth (3A) and Elizabeth Forward (4A) also were champions.

Elizabeth Forward, a first-time WPIAL champion, rode the momentum to a PIAA runner-up finish. Avonworth also celebrated its first championship.

3️⃣ ? IN A ROW!@WestASports beats Connellsville 3-2 to claim #WPIAL 5A Softball Championship! #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/TWYpAtWIEL

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) May 31, 2019

Last year @EFWarriors was one strike away from a #WPIAL Championship. This year, the Warriors get redemption and are your Class 4A Champions #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/90gSP37A6s

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) May 31, 2019

? Laurel Spartans 2A WPIAL Softball Champs take the trophy to their student section!

The MVP chants welcome winning pitcher & our Player of the Game Kayla Ruperto. 5.2 innings of no-hit ? Ruperto went 3-4 with 2 doubles & a 2-run HR

Watch the celebration & hear from Ruperto! pic.twitter.com/JrsyMo10L2

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) May 31, 2019

Other PIAA champions were: Central Dauphin (6A), West Perry (4A), Pine Grove (3A), and Williams Valley (A).

Hitting the links

TribLive HSSN all-stars

TribLive HSSN player, coach of the year in each classification

Trib Westmoreland all-stars

Trib Alle-Kiski Valley all-stars

All-state teams

Final standings

More coverage of the season on the Trib HSSN softball page

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Avonworth, Elizabeth Forward, Frazier, Hempfield, Penn-Trafford, West Allegheny, West Greene