Coaches: Bob Kalp (Hempfield); Karl Geisler (Baldwin).
Probable starting lineup: Hempfield: LF Lindsey Anderson, 2B Syreeta Sanders, P Tina Skelly, C Amanda Bower, SS Jesse Gump, 1B Krissa Fetter, 3B Nicole Scheeren, CF Robin Regina, Ashley Hainsworth RF. Baldwin: 2B Jenn Hoetzlein, LF Allison Sydeski, 3B Julie Becker, SS C.J. Gattens, P Becky Mezyk, C Rachel Fazio, DH Jessica Dignon, 1B Caitlin Gratton, CF Becky Dillard, RF Jaime McCluskey.
Road to the finals: Hempfield cruised past Plum, 9-0; and Trinity, 6-0; before edging Shaler, 3-1, in the semifinals. Baldwin continued its improbable run with a 2-0 victory over Connellsville in the semifinals after defeating Indiana, 7-0; and Montour, 1-0.
Notables: Top-seeded Hempfield, which won its only WPIAL title in 1998, has made good on its promise to return to the finals after losing to North Hills, 4-3, in last season's championship. 'We're looking forward to completing what we couldn't do last season,' senior shortstop Jesse Gump said. Skelly, a Penn State recruit, has been dominant, giving up one unearned run in the playoffs. ... Sixth-seeded Baldwin won a record nine WPIAL softball titles from 1985-96, but failed to reach the quarterfinals until this season. The Fighting Highlanders haven't given up a run in the postseason behind junior left-hander Mezyk, who struck out six batters in the semifinals.
Class AA
Who: Riverside (17-1) vs. North Catholic (17-4)
When: 1 p.m., today
Where: California (Pa.), Lilly Field
Coaches: Pam McCarty (Riverside); Bill Templin (North Catholic).
Probable starting lineup: Riverside: 2B Amy Vukmir, CF Laura Hollerman, P Amy Aloi, 3B Rachele Hall, 1B Ashley Morgan, C Chris Hunter, LF Nicole Maietta, SS Tiffany Hurd, RF Shaelin Zelinka. North Catholic: 3B Liz Heisal, 1B Megan Logan, SS Kristen Domian, P Debbie Tedesco, C Sara Prybyl, LF Brianne Hodanich, DH Beth Shanahan, RF Elizabeth Hill, CF Frannie Lamb.
Road to the finals: Riverside received a bye in the first round and then beat Freeport, 5-1; and Burrell, 1-0 in 15 innings; North Catholic defeated Waynesburg, 10-5; Center, 1-0; and Thomas Jefferson, 4-2.
Notables: Top-seeded Riverside seems destined to win after getting past Burrell, which the Panthers lost to in last season's finals. Aloi hasn't given up a run in the playoffs, striking out 23 batters against Burrell. ... Seventh-seeded North Catholic lost two close games to Riverside twice during the Section 2 schedule. The Trojanettes never had reached the semifinals before this season.
Class A
Who: Sto-Rox (16-4) vs. Burgettstown (20-0)
When: 5 p.m., today
Where: California (Pa.), Lilly Field
Coaches: Bill Palermo (Sto-Rox); Mark Deer (Burgettstown).
Probable starting lineup: Sto-Rox: LF Lauren Miller, RF Amanda Bressler, P Megan Stone (P), SS Stephanie Elk, 2B Heather Jumba, CF Marianne Carrabbia, 3B Kaitlyn Merks (3B), 1B Ashlee Boylan, C Christina Magliocco. Burgettstown: P Romney Waters, 2B Niki Zalaznik, 3B Amy Allison, SS Crystal Homic, CF Alicia Midler, C Erin Collins, 1B Melissa Butcher, DH Mandi Ward, RF Amanda Schrockman, LF Lauren Gombert.
Road to the finals: Sto-Rox earned a bye and then beat Fort Cherry, 2-0; and Leechburg, 2-0. Burgettstown defeated South Side Beaver, 6-1; Western Beaver, 7-0; and Chartiers-Houston, 1-0.
Notables: Top-seeded and defending champion Sto-Rox, which has won four Class AA titles, will ride the pitching of Stone, who has allowed one hit in the playoffs. Sto-Rox defeated Burgettstown, 3-2, in 11 innings, in last season's finals after tying the game in the seventh inning. ... Burgettstown is winless in its two previous trips to the finals. Waters struck out 10 batters in the semifinals. 'We have so much unfinished business,' she said.
