Allderdice sophomore tennis sensation Max Schmerin came into the City League boys' singles championships this week without a loss this season. He left with that unblemished record still intact and another title in his back pocket.

A year after becoming the first freshman to earn a title in the event, Schmerin added his second, defeating teammate Arjun Iyengar, 6-0, 6-2, in the championship at Schenley Park yesterday.

Schmerin outscored his opponents, 44-2, in the two-day tournament.

"He's better than ever," said Allderdice coach Keith Goldman. "He's worked a lot harder this year and is even more consistent than last year. He's the total package."

Top softball games

• Ellwood City (16-1, 14-1), the Post-Gazette's No. 1-ranked Class AAA team, lost for the first time, 2-0, to New Castle (11-5, 10-5) in Section 1. Sarah Chill picked up the win for the Red Hurricane, who took advantage of several Wolverines errors.

• With the Section 4 championship on the line, Class A No. 1 Vincentian (16-2, 14-1) notched a 6-0 road shutout against No. 5 Bishop Canevin (17-3, 13-2). Trish Melvin pitched a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts for the Royals.

Four of a kind

• A wild playoff race in Class AAAA Section 3 ended with a rare result -- four section champions. Second-ranked Seneca Valley and North Hills lost, while Shaler and North Allegheny won, putting all four teams 8-4 in league play and advancing them all to the playoffs.

Top teams upset

• Class AAAA No. 1 Latrobe (15-2, 13-2) lost for the second time in its past three games, falling to Hempfield (10-8, 8-7), 2-0, in Section 1. Spartans pitcher T'nia Falbo struck out eight to earn the win.

• The second-ranked team in Class AAA didn't fare much better, as Keystone Oaks (15-4, 13-2) was knocked off by Section 3 rival Chartiers Valley (13-7, 10-5), 2-1. Lauren Burner's RBI single in the fourth provided the winning run.

Better late than never

• In Class AA Section 1, Center (14-4, 8-4) earned a playoff berth with an 8-2 win against South Side Beaver (3-12, 1-11). Carlynton (9-8, 7-5) was denied that spot after losing, 3-0, to Sto-Rox (11-3, 10-2), which won its 18th consecutive section title.

• Laurel Marsalek went 2 for 4 with four RBIs, leading Bentworth (12-6, 9-6) to the playoffs after a 12-3 victory against section champion Fort Cherry (13-3, 12-3) in Class A Section 1.

Fantastic finish

• Stephanie Graziani's inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the ninth enabled Class A No. 4 Neshannock (16-2, 15-0) to finish unbeaten in Section 5 with a 3-2 victory against Union (11-4, 11-4).

Top baseball game

• Mike Devine hit for the cycle to help Class A No. 2 Springdale (15-2, 10-1) roll to a 15-5, six-inning win against Elderton (4-12, 3-7) in Section 4. Devine went 4 for 4 with four RBIs and five runs scored.