Alle-Kiski Valley softball playoff preview capsules: Games for May 15

By: Doug Gulasy
Monday, May 13, 2019 | 6:13 PM

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First round

Wednesday’s games

Class 2A

12-Apollo-Ridge (9-4) vs. 5-Frazier (14-3)

4 p.m. at Latrobe

Winner plays: 4-Vincentian (14-1) or 13-Burgettstown (8-9) on May 20, site/time TBD

Coaches: John Kinnamon, Apollo-Ridge; Don Hartman, Frazier

Players to watch: Mollie Charlton, Sr., P., Apollo-Ridge; Logan Hartman, Sr., P, Frazier

Extra bases: Apollo-Ridge makes its third consecutive playoff appearance but is seeking its first win after falling to Mohawk and Serra Catholic in the first round in the past two seasons. The Vikings finished third in Section 2-2A and beat Riverview and Shady Side Academy by a combined score of 25-1 in their final two games. Charlton is a three-year starter in the circle for A-R. Frazier won the WPIAL championship in 2017 but fell to Laurel, 1-0, in last year’s title game. The Commodores finished second in Section 3-2A behind Chartiers-Houston, with their three losses coming to Char-Houston, Carmichaels and Class 4A Yough. Behind the stellar pitching of Hartman, Frazier shut out 11 opponents this season.

14-Riverview (8-5) vs. 3-Laurel (16-2)

4 p.m. at Hampton

Winner plays: 6-Seton LaSalle (11-5) or 11-Carmichaels (13-5) on May 20, site/time TBD

Coaches: Jim Ashbaugh, Riverview; Frank Duddy, Laurel

Players to watch: Alyssa Cappa, Jr., P, Riverview; Mackenzie Latess, Sr., IF, Laurel

Extra bases: Riverview makes its fifth consecutive WPIAL playoff appearance. The Raiders advanced to the quarterfinals in Class A last season, routing Quigley Catholic, 21-0, in the first round before losing to Monessen. Cappa, Riverview’s primary catcher last season, moved into the pitching circle this year and became something of a strikeout artist, tying the school record with 17 in a win over Valley. Cappa has a team-high .500 batting average, and Annie Betler and Katelyn Davis lead the way with 12 RBIs. Laurel captured the 2018 WPIAL championship with a 1-0 title-game victory over Frazier. Latess scored the winning run in the top of the seventh inning, and the Spartans survived a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the bottom of the inning to preserve the title. The Spartans’ lone two losses came to their Section 4-2A co-champ Neshannock. The Spartans won 11 games by mercy rule.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. You can contact Doug at 412-388-5830, dgulasy@tribweb.com or via Twitter .

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Frazier, Laurel, Riverview