2005 PIAA softball semifinals capsules
Class AAAA
Shaler Area (21-4) vs. Downingtown West (14-13)
When: 4 p.m., Monday
Where: Robb Sports Complex, Shippensburg University
Road to the semifinals: Shaler def. Brashear, 1-0, and Hempfield Area, 11-2. Downingtown West def. Central York, 6-5, and Chambersburg, 7-5.
Probable lineups: Shaler -- CF Lia Sorce, , 2B Ashley Scanga, RF Jen Simile, 1B Megan Lynch, LF Kaitlyn Kline, 3B Jen Popinski, DH Heather Elstner, C Brit Morgan, SS Julie Stampfle, P Angela Mastrean. Downingtown West -- SS Casey Massimini, C Courtney Delia, 1B Krystin Montoro, 2B Casey Coker, 3B Kim Harrison, P Chelsea Kendall, DP Jenna O'Neill, RF Ashley Willis, LF Selena Mize.
Shaler, the defending state champion, will be looking for its second gold medal this season, after winning the WPIAL Class AAAA title. Krystin Montoro, who is batting .358 with 31 RBI, 12 doubles and five homers, leads Downingtown West, which is in the midst of an unexpected PIAA playoff run.
Class AAA
Ambridge (22-2) vs. Corry (21-2)
When: 3 p.m., Monday
Where: Memorial Field, Clarion University
Road to the finals: Ambridge def. Perry, 2-3, and Bellefonte, 6-5 (9 inn.). Corry def. Hampton, 8-2, and Ellwood City, 1-0.
Probable lineups: Ambridge -- 2B Liz Decima, 3B Amy Briola, SS Kara Hochevar, 1B Amy Gottuso, P Amy Joy, DH Tricia Gorman, LF Rachelle Carello, RF Lisa Coyle, C Courtney Briola, CF Katrina Gross. Corry -- 2B Kara Nelson, Rachel Maybray, C Justine Anderson, 3B Lindsey Hays, DH Kyleigh Lawrence, LF Mindy Lewis, SS Bridget Minnick, 1B Jessica Beattie, CF Larissa White, P Allison Hasbrouck.
The semifinal between Ambridge and District 10 champion Corry will feature a pitching duel between Corry's Allison Hasbrouck, who is coming off a 12-strikeout performance against Ellwood City, and Ambridge's Amy Joy, who struck out 92 during the regular season, including a 16-strikeout effort against Ellwood City.
Class AA
Bald Eagle Area (22-3) vs. South Park (21-3)
When: 4 p.m., Monday
Where: Plum Park, Elderton
Road to the finals: Bald Eagle Area def. Washington, 11-1, and Northwestern, 6-0. South Park def. Chestnut Ridge, 7-0, and Waynesburg, 3-0 (9 inn.).
Probable lineups: Bald Eagle Area -- SS Danielle Noll, 2B Michelle Noll, P/DP Brittany Rees, LF Ashley McClain, C Lauryn Weaver, P/CF Courtney Garner, LF/CF Ashley Rauch, 1B Brittany Kilmer, 3B Karly Riser, RF Jackie Penland. South Park -- CF Kari Zeleznick, SS Nikki Kaschauer, P Sara Oxenreiter, C Amanda Bernacki, 3B Jackie Braszo, RF Tina Johnson, DP Lindsay Harkins, LF Nicole Balcer, 2B Jesse Morgan, 1B Beth Marchetti.
Shortstop Nikki Kaschauer leads South Park with her 21 RBI and a .500 batting average. Bald Eagle's shortstop, Danielle Noll, puts up similar numbers, batting .425. Bald Eagle head coach Dave Breon has yet to name a starter, but will choose between Courtney Garner (12-0) and Brittany Rees (8-2).
Class A
Chartiers-Houston (20-1) vs. Beth-Center (18-7)
When: 7 p.m., Monday
Where: Lilly Field, California (Pa.) University
Road to the finals: Chartiers-Houston def. Northern Potter, 1-0, and Smethport, 2-1. Beth-Center def. Elk County Christian, 6-4, and Leechburg, 4-1.
Probable lineups: Chartiers-Houston -- SS Jaci Timko, P Danielle Claassen, 1B Brooke Johnson, C Brittany Jones, 2B Michelle Greenawalt, DP Courtney Anesetti, RF Sheryl DiNardo, LF Devon Strimel, CF Samantha Hall, 3B Kristina Kowalski. Beth-Center -- 2B Lauren Kuntz, CF Amanda Higginbotham, SS Courtney Kurowski, C Kimberly Urcho, Amanda Bolin, DP Tyffani Balog, RF Tanya Carroll, LF Kaylin Sizemore, P Chelsea Stotka, 3B Caitlyn Bowen.
Chartiers-Houston pitcher Danielle Claassen (15-1) struck out 13 batters in her last outing and will take on Chelsea Stotka of Beth-Center. Second baseman Lauren Kuntz hit the RBI-single that helped Beth-Center advance to the semifinals.
