WPIAL, District 9 playoffs roundup: Seneca Valley baseball, volleyball teams make finals
One more win, and Seneca Valley will own its first WPIAL baseball title since 2014. The No. 3 Raiders, who have won four district titles since 1994, including three from 2011-14, got a gem from Andrew Malichky on the mound to get closer to title No. 5.
The senior fired a complete-game, five-hit shutout to lead SV to a 4-0 win over No. 2 Canon-McMillan in the Class 6A semifinals Tuesday at Boyce Mayview Park. Malichky struck out nine, including three in the second inning.
The Raiders took a 2-0 lead in the second when Owen Voelp singled to center to drive in two runs. Micah Olayer, who scored one of those runs, hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth. Then Mason Durst knocked in Kayden Cahall, who also scored in the first, on a single.
The Raiders will face No. 4 Norwin in the district championship game either May 27 or 28 at EQT Park.
Seneca Valley boys volleyball traded barbs with Penn-Trafford all evening. The Raiders got the final one in, winning the fifth set 15-3 to claim a 3-2 victory in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals.
Set scores were 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 20-25, 15-3.
Jordan Hoover powered the Raiders’ front line with 17 kills and four blocks, while Malachi DeGraaf added 12 kills. Providing their assists was Abheek Nelikil, who finished with 43 on the night. Mario Ardolino dug 26 balls.
SV will take on No. 1 North Allegheny after splitting the regular-season series in the final.
No. 2 Ambridge survived No. 6 Mars 3-2 in the WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball semifinals, winning by set scores of 26-24, 20-25, 28-30, 25-20, 15-8.
The Planets, who will not get to defend their district gold, will face No. 5 South Fayette in the third-place game. The winner qualifies for the PIAA tournament.
Moniteau jumped on top, but Redbank Valley wasted no time after that, knocking out the Warriors 8-3 in the first round of the District 9 Class 2A tournament.
Alyssa Thompson tripled to score two runs in the third inning after Alex Stewart’s RBI single a few at-bats earlier. But a Quinn White homer started the Bulldogs’ run.
Graysen Rottman was tagged for eight runs (four earned) in the loss. Sydney DeMatteis and Lily Staab went 2-for-4 and 2-for-3, respectively for the Warriors.
