Thursday, May 29, 2014

District 11 softball championship preview and predictions

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER


It's clearly the biggest softball day of the year, even bigger than league championship Thursday two weeks ago.
Three District 11 title games at Pates set to start at 3 p.m.
Here's a quick look:
3  p.m. -- CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP -- No. 1 Bethlehem Catholic (16-6) vs. No. 3 Wilson (16-6)
What happened Wednesday: Becahi beat Palmerton 7-1 and Wilson beat Southern Lehigh 3-1.
Who to watch: Becahi's sophomore pitcher Elyse Cuttic has had an outstanding season and senior outfielder Julia Madison is one of the area's premier players. For the Warriors, senior Madison Oren has had a solid season. She didn't allow an earned run against Southern Lehigh on Wednesday. Kendra Showalter is one of many Warriors swinging a hot bat.
What to expect: A spirited effort by Wilson, which has never gotten to the district finals before. Becahi has the experience in these situations and has clearly played the tougher schedule. But the Golden Hawks may want to get out quickly and score some runs to put Wilson in a hole. Because if the Warriors hang around and gain confidence, an upset here is not out of the question because the Golden Hawks have had trouble winning when it has meant the most this spring.
Prediction: Becahi 6, Wilson 3. Golden Hawks should claim their second straight and eighth title all since 1999.
5 p.m. -- CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP -- No. 1 Pen Argyl (18-5) vs. No. 2 Catasauqua (16-6)
What happened Wednesday: Pen Argyl beat North Schuylkill 2-1 in eight innings and Catty beat Salisbury 9-1.
Who to watch: Hannah Edwards makes the Catty offense go with her uncanny bunting ability and speed on the bases. Janae Matos is a clutch hitter. Pen Argyl's star is pitcher Emily Smull, but the Green Knights also have weapons with Laura Zanette and Alyssa Weaver.
What to expect: Another great game between these rivals, who split the season series with Catty winning 7-5 on April 1 and the Green Knights gaining revenge 13-1 on April 26. They hooked up in a classic district final a year ago with Smull and Pen Argyl winning 2-1. Neither team has a pleasant recent memory of Pates Park considering they both lost to Bangor in the recent Colonial League tournament. Both have something to prove and should play much better than they did in their last appearance in Allentown.
Prediction: Pen Argyl 4, Catasuqua 3 -- The Green Knights have been slightly more consistent and evidently got a few breaks against North Schuylkill. So, as Smull, who got her 50th career win, said in Mike Blouse's story today: "I guess it is better to be lucky than good." Pen Argyl seems to be both lucky and good at the moment. Tough combo to beat.
7 p.m. CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP -- No. 1 Parkland (22-0) vs. No. 2 Pleasant Valley (20-4)
What happened Wednesday: Parkland beat Northampton 5-3 and Pleasant Valley beat Bangor 8-3.
Who to watch: Parkland pitcher Morgan Rentzheimer has been solid all season, but appeared to display some wear and tear against Northampton. Catcher Jordy Augustus is a tough out at the top of the order and Courtney Miller, Madi Marshall, Emma Varrato and Sydney Stibitz, have all been clutch hitters. PV pitcher Tracey Deubler was solid in the circle against Bangor and the Bears got production up and down the lineup. Kiersten Griesback, Deubler and Kelsey Miczak all had two hits against Bangor.
What to expect: Parkland got away with some shaky defense against Northampton and the K-Kids, getting a fourth shot at Rentzheimer, hit the ball solidly and applied the pressure. The Trojans will benefit by seeing a team they have not seen all season, except for a scrimmage. Make no mistake, PV is solid. The Bears are always solid and they're hungry, too, having never won a district title. It should be a competitive game. 
Prediction: Parkland 5, Pleasant Valley 3 -- Until somebody beats the Trojans, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. They'll need to refocus and re-energize after what for them was not their best game against Northampton. The Bears, meanwhile, are probably tired of driving back and forth to Allentown. But it could be a happy ride home if they pull off the upset.

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