(File Photo of the Blackhawk School District Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Meadville, PA) Blackhawk softball advanced to its first PIAA championship game in program history with a 7-5 victory over Harbor Creek in the 2026 Class 4A semifinals yesterday in Meadville.
The Lady Cougars will seek their first-ever PIAA state championship when they take on District II champion Valley View at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 12th, at Nittany Lion Softball Park in University Park.
(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT is encouraging travelers attending major events in Philadelphia this year to use a new online resource that provides real-time traffic and travel information.
The page, available through PennDOT’s 511PA traveler information system, includes traffic maps, travel times, incident reports, construction updates, traffic camera feeds and message board information for routes serving FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, FIFA Fan Festival™ events, MLB All-Star Week and America250PA celebrations.
According to PennDOT, the maps also include real-time SEPTA information, including service status and next departure times.
Travelers using the “My Routes” feature can access event-related points of interest when selecting their starting point or destination.
PennDOT said its Southeast Regional Traffic Management Center will support the events by providing real-time travel information on electronic message signs. The agency plans to activate 40 additional traffic cameras and 32 additional message boards to help monitor conditions and direct travelers.
Officials are advising motorists in the Philadelphia area to expect changing traffic patterns, delays and increased pedestrian activity during the events.
PennDOT said it is coordinating with transportation agencies and government partners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, as well as the City of Philadelphia and SEPTA, to manage traffic throughout the event season.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Erik S. Lesser/Associated Press) Caption for Photo: Pirates designated hitter Brandon Lowe, center, is helped off the field by Pirates manager Don Kelly, right, and a trainer after hitting the ball off of his right knee during the ninth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Atlanta.
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Atlanta, GA) Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said yesterday that tests on second baseman Brandon Lowe’s right knee were “negative for any sort of fracture.”
Lowe was removed from Saturday’s game in the Pirates’ 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta after injuring his knee in the ninth inning. He was helped off the field with two outs remaining.
Cherington described Lowe as “day to day.”
Lowe also appeared as a pinch hitter in yesterday’s 3-2 loss to the Braves in Atlanta, where he delivered a double before being replaced by pinch runner Oneil Cruz.
Lowe has been one of the key players for the Pirates, and his stats this season include a hitting average of .252, 15 home runs, and 41 RBIs.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Fine WIne and Good Spirits)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) Fine Wine & Good Spirits (FW&GS) announced a promotional campaign tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ that will bring matches to Philadelphia this year.
The retailer said it plans to highlight products and offers aimed at consumers hosting watch parties, cookouts and other gatherings during the tournament, which is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region.
The campaign comes during a busy year for Pennsylvania, which will host a variety of major events in 2026, including celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, sporting events, festivals and concerts.
According to a release from Fine Wine & Good Spirits, here is more information about this campaign:
Match-Day Favorites from Around the World
FW&GS stores throughout Pennsylvania will feature special displays highlighting limited-edition products and globally inspired selections perfect for watch parties and celebrations.
Featured products, which are at select stores and only while supplies last, include:
Whether customers are cheering for a longtime favorite, celebrating their heritage, or simply looking for something new to try, FW&GS offers bottles and flavors that reflect the global spirit of the season.
Bringing the Celebration into Stores
FW&GS will also host a series of special tasting events featuring premium brands associated with the tournament.
Participating stores will offer opportunities to sample products and receive commemorative giveaways.
Featured events include:
Event dates, participating locations, and details are available at FWGS.com/events by clicking here.
(File Photo of the WPIAL Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Green Tree, PA) The WPIAL inducted its 2026 Hall of Fame class at the DoubleTree Hotel in Green Tree on Friday night. The list included Olympic gold medalist and wrestler Kurt Angle as well as former Central Valley and Pitt safety Jordan Whitehead, who won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. According to a report from WTAE, here is the full list of the 2026 WPIAL Hall of Fame class:
ATHLETES
COACHES
TEAMS
HERITAGE
CONTRIBUTOR
COURAGE
OFFICIAL
(File Photo of the PIAA Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Lewistown, PA) Quaker Valley lost to Wyomissing 12-2 in the 2026 PIAA Class 2A girls lacrosse quarterfinals on Saturday at Mifflin County High School in Lewistown. Wyomissing advanced to the PIAA state semifinals and improved their record to 22-1 with their victory, while Quaker Valley’s season ended with a 17-4 record.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder delivers to a Pittsburgh Pirates batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
ATLANTA (AP) — Michael Harris II hit a three-run double in the seventh inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 to complete a three-game sweep Sunday.
Reynaldo López (3-1) earned the win with a scoreless seventh, and Tyler Kinley ended a bases-loaded threat in the eighth when he got Ryan O’Hearn to ground out to first base.
Braves rookie Didier Fuentes stranded two runners in the ninth for his first career save.
Harris came up as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh and the Braves trailing 2-0. With light rain falling, he drove the first pitch from Evan Sisk into the right-field corner to clear the bases.
The major league-leading Braves (45-21), limited to three hits, have won eight of 10.
Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz led off the game with a home run, his sixth in nine career games at Truist Park. He also had an infield single and extended his on-base streak to 15 games.
Pittsburgh’s Mason Montgomery served as an opener for the fourth time this season after pitching an inning in relief Saturday night. Montgomery stranded two in a scoreless first and has not given up a run as an opener this season.
Bubba Chandler (2-7) came on as a bulk reliever and cruised until the seventh, when an error by third baseman Tyler Callihan and two walks loaded the bases. He was pulled before Harris doubled off Sisk.
Braves starter Bryce Elder gave up two hits and two runs in six innings, his 10th quality start in 14 outings this season. He struck out four and walked two.
Pirates: RHP Paul Skenes (6-5, 3.09 ERA) will face Dodgers LHP Eric Lauer (2-5, 5.74) as Pittsburgh hosts Los Angeles in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
Braves: RHP Grant Holmes (4-2, 3.86 ERA) opposes White Sox RHP Davis Martin (8-2, 2.61) in the first game of a three-game series in Chicago on Tuesday.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider delivers to a Pittsburgh Pirates batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
ATLANTA (AP) — Dominic Smith hit a two-run homer, Spencer Strider allowed three runs in five innings and the Atlanta Braves recovered after losing an early three-run lead to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 on Saturday and clinch another series win.
Atlanta led 3-0 after three innings. The Pirates pulled even in the fifth on Brandon Lowe’s sacrifice fly off Strider (4-1).
The Braves delivered a quick answer by scoring three runs off Braxton Ashcraft (5-3) in the bottom of the third. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson reached on singles before their double-steal set up a go-ahead sacrifice fly by Ozzie Albies. Smith then lined the two-run homer just inside the foul pole in left field.
Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth for his 13th save. He has converted 31 consecutive save opportunities since July 28, 2025, the majors’ longest active streak.
Lowe left the game after fouling a ball off his right knee in the ninth.
The Braves improved the majors’ best record to 44-21. They have won 18 of 21 series, including 10 of 11 at home.
Pirates third baseman Tyler Callihan, making his first start of the season, had a run-scoring double, a walk and a stolen base.
Catcher Austin Wynns, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for cash on Thursday, was held without a hit in his first start for the Braves.
Atlanta held out center fielder Michael Harris II with back tightness. Manager Walt Weiss said the move was precautionary. Harris left Friday night’s 6-3 win in the ninth.
“We’ll give him a day and see how he’s feeling,” Weiss said. “… I think this is gonna be very short term.”
Mauricio Dubón had two hits and scored two runs while filling in for Harris.
Pirates RHP Bubba Chandler (2-6, 4.89), a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., an Atlanta suburb, is scheduled to start against Braves RHP Bryce Elder (5-3, 2.63) in Sunday’s final game of the series.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr., left, hits an RBI single as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis, right looks on during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
ATLANTA (AP) — Mauricio Dubón homered for the third straight game and the Atlanta Braves opened another home series with a victory, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 on Friday night.
Dubón was 2 for 4 with three RBIs and two runs. It is the first time in his eight-year career he has homered in three consecutive games.
Ronald Acuña Jr. was 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI and Matt Olson had two hits and a run.
Martín Pérez (4-3) went five innings and gave up three runs before giving way to the bullpen, which blanked MLB’s fourth-highest scoring offense in the final four innings. Raisel Iglesias got his 12th save and lowered his ERA to 0.92 after pitching the ninth inning.
The Braves have won the opening game of a home series nine times in 10 tries this season.
Dubón’s two-run, 405-foot homer to left field tied it at 3 in the third inning, and his double gave the Braves a 4-3 lead in the fifth. He later scored on an RBI double by Austin Riley.
Mitch Keller (5-3) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He has given up 13 runs in his last two starts.
Pittsburgh saw its 11-game homer streak end.
Marcell Ozuna, who played for the Braves from 2020-25, was 2 for 4 with an RBI and received a strong ovation before his first at-bat in his first game since departing Atlanta. Nick Gonzalez and Henry Davis also had RBIs.
Braves RHP Spencer Strider (3-1, 3.77 ERA) was scheduled to start Saturday against Pirates RHP Braxton Ashcraft (5-2, 2.77).
(File Photo of the PIAA Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Leetsdale, PA) Quaker Valley’s girls lacrosse team will continue its postseason run in the 2026 PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals.
The Lady Quakers (17-3) will face the Wyomissing Spartans (21-1) at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Mifflin County High School in Lewistown.
Quaker Valley entered the state tournament as the WPIAL’s No. 2 seed, while Wyomissing, representing Berks County, is the top seed and champion of District 3.