WASHINGTON, PA (July 29, 2026) —  South Hills, PA, has won PONY Baseball’s Host Area Zone to qualify for the 2026 Printscape PONY League World Series. 

South Hills secured its spot by repeating as Host Area Zone champions, turning in an impressive undefeated performance throughout the tournament. The run included decisive victories over Mt. Lebanon, PA (15-3) and Western PA PONY (10-0, 4-1), before closing it out with a 5-0 championship win against Johnstown, PA.

“Our mindset is simple — we’re here to win it all,” said Head Coach Joe Cuervo. “After going through it last year, we feel more experienced and more complete this time around. With returning players and improved depth, this group has a stronger overall balance.” 

The team has prioritized consistent reps and challenging matchups to simulate the intensity they’ll face in World Series play. “We want our guys comfortable in those moments,” Cuervo added. “Seeing better pitching and stronger teams leading up to this helps build that confidence.”

While expectations remain high, the experience itself is just as meaningful. South Hills embraces the opportunity to compete on an international stage while creating lasting memories along the way. “This is bigger than just baseball,” Cuervo said. “We want these players to enjoy it, represent their community the right way, and be part of something they’ll remember forever.”

South Hills will open play against Navajoa, Mexico, at 2:30PM/ET on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Historic Lew Hays PONY Field as they look to build on their strong summer and make a deep run in the 2026 Printscape PONY League World Series.