Baseball News

By Randy Gore

The North Allegheny baseball team opened the 2026 season on Wednesday afternoon with a 4-0 home victory over the Norwin Knights. Senior hurlers Liam Cooper and Lucas Manczka combined for a four-hit shutout against the WPIAL runners-up from a season ago.

In an efficient 60-pitch effort on opening day, Cooper dominated the Knights for five innings, striking out five batters to secure the victory and earn Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors. Manczka pitched two scoreless innings for the save, striking out three.

The Tigers received all the run support they needed in the bottom of the fourth inning when Christian Simons doubled home a pair of runs, scoring J.J. Mancuso and Jake Fritz for a 2-0 lead. NA tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth inning, thanks to a fielder’s choice RBI by Carter Boehm to plate Simons. Moments later, Dominic Williamson dashed home on a wild pitch to increase the NA advantage to 4-0.

Norwin starting pitcher Matt O’Neil took the loss but was solid in five innings, surrendering two runs on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Following the opening day win, North Allegheny will visit Pine-Richland for another non-section contest. Norwin will take on Hempfield on Monday to open section play.

Baseball Summary vs. Norwin, 3-25-26

Score By Innings	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Norwin	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2
North Allegheny	0	0	0	2	0	2	X	4	2	0

WP - Liam Cooper (1-0)
LP - Matt O'Neil
SV - Lucas Manczka