Class AAA Who: Hempfield (21-2) vs. Baldwin (15-3) When: 3 p.m., today Where: California (Pa.), Lilly Field 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.
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