What to watch for in WPIAL sports on April 24, 2024: Section contenders square off in 3A softball

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 | 12:12 AM

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Midweek features plenty of section softball contests around the WPIAL as the sands of time slide through the remaining days of the regular season.

The top four teams in Section 1-3A square off Wednesday.

Burrell (6-1, 8-3) is even in the loss column with Avonworth (4-1, 6-3) coming into the day with Deer Lakes hot on their heels (5-2, 8-4) followed by Freeport in fourth place (2-3, 5-5).

Burrell visits Freeport at 4:15 p.m.

In their first meeting of the season, the Bucs won at home over the Yellowjackets, 3-1.

In prime time Wednesday, Avonworth hosts Deer Lakes at 7 p.m.

The Antelopes lost to the Lancers in their first matchup this season, 5-2.

Same, but different

Heading into a key Section 3-2A softball matchup Wednesday, Bentworth and Charleroi are similar in that they have identical overall records of 9-2.

The difference is the Bearcats have yet to lose a section game while both of the Cougars’ losses have come in section.

Bentworth is atop the section with a 7-0 record and has won eight straight games. The seven section wins have all been shutouts by freshman sensation and last week’s Trib HSSN Player of the Week, Sydney Gonglik.

Charleroi is 6-2 in section play and has won five of its last six games since a loss at home to Bentworth, 8-0.

Eager Beaver

In 2021 and 2022, the Beaver softball program was on top of the Class 4A world after winning back-to-back WPIAL championships and a state title crown in 2021.

While those days are gone, the 2024 Bobcats are in the mix for a playoff spot in Section 3-4A despite only winning two games this season.

Beaver is 1-6 in the section and looking up at North Catholic (2-2) and Blackhawk (1-4) in the battle for fourth place.

With time running out, the Bobcats will be in must-win mode Wednesday when they host Blackhawk.

The Cougars rolled to victory in the first meeting between these two Beaver County rivals, 19-9.

Double your pleasure

The 2024 WPIAL boys tennis doubles championships are set for Wednesday with championship and consolation finals in Class 3A and 2A.

The top two seeds in 3A won and advanced Tuesday through the first three rounds to reach the finals.

The Title match features defending champions and the top-seed duo of junior Zidaan Hassan and sophomore Logan Memije of Gateway against No. 2 senior Ronan Gibbons and junior Ari Plutko fo Upper St. Clair.

The Class 2A tournament for a second straight year did not go as expected as No. 4 faces No. 6. The title match pits the team of junior John Rohrkaste and sophomore Jonah Carmadese of Montour against seniors Jackson Quigley and Tejas Mitra of Sewickley Academy.

Weather permitting, the matches begin at North Allegheny at 1 p.m.