District 9 and 10 teams experienced a challenging opening round of the PIAA baseball and softball playoffs Monday, though several programs advanced. In baseball, Elk County Catholic edged Serra Catholic 4-2, West Middlesex outlasted Western Beaver 12-9, Eden Christian nipped Clarion 7-6, Southern Columbia defeated Moniteau 10-1, Mercyhurst Prep blanked Riverview 4-0, Neshannock slipped past Redbank Valley 3-2, Saegertown topped Mount Union 7-3, Fairview beat Riverside 3-1, Hopewell defeated General McLane 9-1, and DuBois earned a 2-1 victory over Montour.
In softball, DuBois Central Catholic outlasted Juniata Valley 5-4 in eight innings, Cambridge Springs beat Jefferson-Morgan 8-1, Neshannock defeated Brockway 14-8, Laurel topped Saegertown 6-2, Everett edged Cranberry 9-7, Bentworth shut out Wilmington 10-0 in five innings, Sharon beat Mt. Pleasant 4-0, South Park slipped past Hickory 2-1, Blackhawk defeated Punxsutawney 12-7, Harbor Creek edged North Catholic 2-1, North Hills blanked DuBois 3-0, and Hempfield topped McDowell 8-6.
