"Mr. High School Sports" - Diamond Dozen (Week 5)

By Matt Popchock

So much for the prognostications of Punxsutawney Phil.  It's been a largely miserable spring weather-wise in western Pennsylvania, and early last week it looked like Mother Nature would have her way with the WPIAL baseball and softball schedule yet again.

But the bad weather did hold off long enough to squeeze in those games, and something happened that normally doesn't until the heat and humidity rise late in the season: the ball carried...a lot.  A number of guys and gals put on very impressive hitting displays to lead their respective teams to wins, one of which happened to be one of the district's highest-scoring games in years.

In addition, two of the most successful managers in WPIAL softball history picked up career victories.  So without further ado, here's a shout-out to them, and to some of the other scholastic stars from last week:

Doug Bennett, Shenango - three innings, two hits allowed, no runs allowed, win; three-run home run in 7-5 victory over Riverside in Class AA Section 5 play last Thursday

Dakota Conway, California - one double, two home runs, six RBI, four runs scored in 12-2 non-section win over Charleroi last Wednesday

Anthony Marks, Montour - three hits, two RBI in 8-2 win over South Park in Class AAA Section 3 play last Wednesday

Dylan Pounds, Chartiers-Houston - 2-for-3, RBI; seven innings pitched, three hits allowed in 4-0 win over Monessen in Class A Section 2 play last Thursday

Shawn Sherwood, Connellsville - two hits, including two-run home run, in 13-8 win over Laurel Highlands in Class AAAA Section 2 play last Monday (Falcons trailed 6-0 in 3rd inning)

Zach Williams, Plum - two doubles in 7-6 win over Penn Hills in Class AAAA Section 2 play last Wednesday

Bill Palermo, Sto-Rox - 550th career win as Vikings softball manager in 18-0 victory (three innings) over Cornell in game one of Class A Section 3 doubleheader last Thursday (551-126 all-time, .814 career win pct. entering this week)

Jim Oberdorf, Leechburg - 500th career win as Blue Devils softball manager in 15-0 victory (four innings) over Ellis School in game one of Class A Section 4 doubleheader last Thursday (only other WPIAL mgr. w/ 500 career wins)

Gabi Vogt, South Allegheny - two home runs, seven RBI in 23-15 upset of Greensburg C.C. in Class AA Section 4 play last Wednesday

Kaitlyn Kutchman, Montour - seven strikeouts, two hits allowed in 3-0 non-section upset of Ambridge last Thursday (rematch of 2010 WPIAL Class AAA Final)

Alexa Larkin, Latrobe - ten strikeouts, perfect game; 3-for-4, 2 RBI in 12-0 win over Albert Gallatin (six innings) in Class AAAA Section 1 play last Thursday

Kiersten Badzgon, Keystone Oaks - 4-for-4, 3 RBI in 10-6 upset of Avonworth in Class AA Section 1 play last Thursday

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ON DECK: On Friday Mr. High School Sports will check out the Vincentian Academy baseball team as they battle North Catholic in a Class A Section 4 affair.  It's the first meeting of the season between the Royals and North Catholic, as Vincentian tries to pull ahead of section-leading Trojans.  Vincentian's bats have to come to life, pounding out 46 runs over its last four games, though North Catholic has scored a whopping 54 in that same span.

IN THE HOLE: If the weather cooperates, Mr. High School Sports will take in the Class A Section 3 rematch between Sto-Rox and defending WPIAL champion Vincentian Academy on Monday.  The Vikings took the first meeting 5-3 on Apr. 18 and will look to distance themselves even further from the second-place Royals, who struck out 11 times against Talia Smarra in the last outing.

For continuing coverage of WPIAL baseball and softball, be sure to check back with Mr. High School Sports throughout the 2011 season!