After the WPIAL high school sports season concluded this past week with the WPIAL baseball and softball championships, the home stretch of the 2025-26 scholastic athletic calendar year is here, with the PIAA spring sports playoffs beginning on Monday, June 1.
A total of seven Beaver Valley programs (4 baseball, 2 softball, 1 girls lacrosse) will be aiming to punch their ticket to Penn State on June 11-13 and compete for a state championship.
Here is an outlook at the Beaver Valley teams competing in their respective sports this PIAA postseason.
Baseball
Ellwood City
The lone WPIAL champion out of the Beaver Valley for baseball, Ellwood City comes into the PIAA playoffs red hot and are winners of seven of their last eight contests.
During the team’s run to its first WPIAL championship since 2012, Ellwood City posted three straight comeback wins against Burrell in the quarterfinals, Riverside in the semifinals and South Park in the championship game.
Pitcher Aaron Lake has been one of the top pitchers in the WPIAL throughout his senior season, posting a 0.96 ERA in 11 games, throwing 52 innings and striking out 71.
Ellwood City’s bats have also been hot, with Jordan Keller leading the way with a .529 average and 27 hits, while designated hitter Geordon Bokor has collected 18 hits and 19 RBIs to help flip the lineup over for the Wolverines.
The team will now begin their state playoff journey against District VI runner-up Phillipsburg-Osceola.
Hopewell
During the WPIAL semifinals, Hopewell had No. 2-seeded Elizabeth Forward on the ropes, leading the game late before eventually falling into the consolation round.
Despite the setback, Hopewell finds itself back in the PIAA playoffs after a 3-0 win over Derry.
Hopewell showcases a deep lineup, headlined by multi-sport standout James Armstrong, Charles Smetana and Ben McDonald, who has provided the team a jolt of power in the lineup, hitting six home runs, which is tied for second in the Beaver Valley.
Left-handed pitcher Kingston Krotec has also been one of the top pitchers in the Beaver Valley and the WPIAL, throwing seven complete games, posting a 0.76 ERA and allowing just seven earned runs in 10 games.
The team will face the District 10 champion, General McLane, a team that has posted a 15-5 record.
Riverside
The reigning PIAA champion is back in the state playoffs, this time as the No. 4 seed after losses to 2026 WPIAL champion Ellwood City in the semifinals and Avonworth in the consolation round.
Riverside has gotten strong contributions from junior southpaw Matt Santillo, who has an 0.73 in 12 games, Jackson Barber, the team leader in hits with 28 and Dylan Meyer, the Panthers’ top run producer, driving in 20 runs with 25 hits, four doubles, three triples and three home runs.
Riverside will face District 10 champion Fairview, which has just one loss on the year and a 16-1 record.
Western Beaver
Western Beaver rounds out the Beaver County baseball field in Class 1A, coming in as the No. 4 seed after losses to eventual WPIAL champion Eden Christian Academy in the semifinals and Serra Catholic in the consolation round.
August Lichtner has had a breakout season for the Golden Beavers, leading the team with 24 hits, while driving in 16 with six doubles and a triple. Western Beaver also has a strong 1-2 punch on the mound, with Christian Stefanakis and Vinny Ross.
The team will face District 10 champion West Middlesex, which comes into the game with a 15-5 record.
Softball
Blackhawk
For the second consecutive season, Blackhawk finds itself in the PIAA playoffs following another heartbreaking WPIAL championship loss, falling to Elizabeth Forward 5-3 on May 28.
Despite the loss, Blackhawk has put together a solid season, posting a 12-5 record and has been led by second baseman Eva Parris, shortstop Brynn Hysong, center fielder Addy Ramer and pitcher Kylie Prisuta.
The Cougars will face District IX champion Punxsutawney, a team that defeated Clearfield 13-8 in the title game and sports an 18-3 record.
If Blackhawk can get past the second round for a second straight season, the team will most likely have its eyes set on District III power Kennard-Dale in the quarterfinals, the team that it bowed out to in last year’s state tournament.
Ellwood City
After falling to eventual WPIAL champion South Park in the semifinals, Ellwood City advanced to the WPIAL playoffs with a 5-1 win over Keystone Oaks in the consolation round on May 26.
Led by senior pitcher Amber McQuistion, who leads the team in batting and in the circle, Ellwood City will be making its first trip back to the state playoffs since 2017 when it won its third district title in program history.
The Wolverines will face off against District VI champion Westmont Hilltop, who comes into the state playoffs with a 19-3 record.
Girls Lacrosse
Quaker Valley
For the second consecutive season, Quaker Valley is back in the playoffs but this time is the No. 2 seed out of the WPIAL after making it to the championship game before falling to Mars.
Led by senior Lucy Roig, the team will be aiming to advance to the quarterfinals as it takes on District 10 champion Cathedral Prep.
Beaver Valley PIAA Playoff Schedule
All first-round games are played on June 1 unless otherwise noted
Baseball
- Riverside Vs Fairview, 1:30 p.m. at Mercyhurst University (3A)
- Western Beaver Vs West Middlesex, 2 p.m. at Jack Critchfield Park (1A)
- General McLane Vs Hopewell, 4 p.m. at Mercyhurst University (4A)
- Philipsburg-Osceola at Ellwood City, 4 p.m. (3A)
Softball
- Ellwood City Vs Westmont Hilltop, 4 p.m. at Hiram G. Andrews Center (3A)
- Blackhawk Vs Punxsutawney, 4 p.m. at Groundhog Field (4A)
Girls Lacrosse
- Quaker Valley Vs Cathedral Prep, TBD
Ethan Morrison is the sports reporter for the Beaver County Times. Contact him at emorrison@usatodayco.com and follow him at EthanMorrison26 on X.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver Valley PIAA spring high school sports playoff preview
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