Three Avonworth varsity softball players were selected All-Section by the coaches in Class A, Section 3.

Named were Juniors Marissa Milbert and Natalie Zivic and sophomore Ali Chambers.

Zivic also was selected by the sports editors at the Post Gazette for the North All-Star Team, from all school classifications. In the past season, Zivic hit five home runs and led the team with 20 runs batted in.

By JIM RUMBLE

Still in search of their first win of the season, the last team the Northgate baseball team wanted to see was section leader South Fayette when the two teams met this past Tuesday.

The Lions, who were coming in undefeated at 10-0 in section play and the top dog in AA, limited the Flames to two hits on their way to a 12-0 victory.

South Fayette scored two runs in the first and two in the third off starting pitcher Justin Mayhugh to lead early, 4-0.

By JIM RUMBLE

Having a tough time finding their offense again, the Avonworth baseball team was no match for section leader Vincentian when the teams played at home this past Wednesday.

The Royals, on the other hand, used a 17-hit attack in disposing of the Antelopes 15-2.

Vincentian got five of those hits in the top of the first against pitcher Frank Restelli to take an early 2-0 lead.

The Antelopes responded with a lead-off double by Coby Croft and an RBI hit to center by Carl Pietrusinski to put the score at 2-1.

By JIM RUMBLE

It was beginning to look as though the Northgate baseball team would break into the win column for the first time this season when they hosted Brentwood this past Wednesday.

Sadly, the wheels came off in the top of the seventh, where three errors contributed to a six-run inning for the Spartans, who came from behind to defeat the Flames 8-5.

The game was for the most part a defensive battle, one in which the Flames committed no errors in the field throughout the first five innings.

Coaches for fall sports were awarded supplemental contracts by the Northgate School Board.

Todd Goble will be the head golf coach, paid $3,533.

Mike Pipak will return as head football coach at a stipend of $6,804. Other football coaches hired include Jeff Smith, first assistant, $4,559., and assistant coaches Dan Sefick, Chris Lucas, Dave Haslett, Jr. and James Durkin, each of whom will be paid $4,083.

Stephanie Francis will be paid $3,558 as the head volleyball coach, with assistant coach Katie Greco paid $2,384.

By JIM RUMBLE

"It all comes down to execution," said head coach Phil Coffin, and that seems to be a major concern at this point for the Avonworth baseball team.

In their game against Cornell at home this past Monday, the Antelopes produced only two hits while the Raiders’ pitching accounted for 12 strike-outs in the game that led to a 3-0 Cornell victory.

"Errors killed us," Coffin stated after Avonworth was defeated 12-2 this past Wednesday when they traveled to Vincentian.

The 'Lopes, who committed nine errors, need to get their act together when it counts.

In their first meeting since falling to Vincentian in the WPIAL championship game nearly a year ago, the Avonworth softball team had intentions of turning the tables when they played on the road this past Monday.

After leading through most of the game, the Lady ‘Lopes stumbled in the late innings and were defeated 7-4.

"Its kind of the same old situation against this team," said Avonworth coach Chris Knox after the game.

By Jim RUMBLE

Struggling to find some consistency from the plate this past Monday, the Avonworth baseball team lost their section opener at home to Sewickley Academy 6-3.

Although the team was limited to four hits, Antelope starting pitcher Frank Restelli did a good job through the first five innings, giving up five hits while recording seven strike-outs to keep the contest close until late in the game.

"You can't win a baseball game if you can't swing a baseball bat," said coach Phil Coffin after the game.

By JIMMY SILAY

Competition is finally under way for the Avonworth/Northgate track team, as they competed in the Trojan Track and Field Classic at Center High School on Saturday.

Overall the team performed well and had a few top six finishers. On the girls' team, Samiya Ferguson finished fourth in the 100 meter dash. In addition, Bridgit Walters finished fifth in the 1600 meter run and Mikell Schlumpf finished second in the 300 meter hurdles.

By JIM RUMBLE

Since returning from their spring training event in Florida a week earlier, the Avonworth softball team overcame some injuriesand opened section play with a win at home this past Tuesday.

Behind a one-hitter pitched by Julianne Hirsch and an offense that was led by catcher Marissa Milbert's four RBIs, the Lady ‘Lopes put away OLSH in five innings, blanking the Chargers 12-0.

By JIM RUMBLE

It's pretty well known in sports that the further you move along in the playoff process the tougher the competition.

That was what the Avonworth girls’ basketball team came to realize when they squared off with defending PIAA champion and currently ranked #1 team in the state, Villa Maria, in a semifinal game played at Meadville high school this past Tuesday.

The 'Lopes, an accomplished team themselves, faced their most talented opponent this season and fell to the Victors 65-38.

"We just ran into a buzz saw," said coach Bob Schulz after the game.

By JIMMY SILAY

Several Northgate-Avonworth swim team members set new school records while participating in the WPIAL championships last Thursday and Friday at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Hall.

On the first day of competition, the girls' 200 medley relay team consisting of Amanda Silay, Alison Gusew, Bridgit Walters and Shannon Burns placed 25th. Next, the boys' 200 medley relay team of Jimmy Silay, Aaron Makatura, Robert Johnston and Connor Mulligan also finished in 25th place.