Westmoreland WPIAL softball playoff preview capsules: Games of May 29, 2018

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, May 28, 2018 | 6:36 PM

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Class 6A

Consolation game

No. 5 Norwin (12-7) vs. No. 2 Baldwin (11-5)

2 p.m. Tuesday at Peters Township

Coaches: Brian Mesich, Norwin; Vince Sortino, Baldwin

Players to watch: Natalie Kryzwiec, Norwin (Sr., P); Taylor Dadig, Baldwin (Sr., SS)

Extra bases: Norwin is seeking a PIAA berth for the first time in more than 20 years. The Knights led top-seeded and three-time defending WPIAL champion Hempfield through 5½ innings of their semifinal game, but they allowed five runs in the sixth in a 5-3 loss. Kryzwiec, a Dickinson recruit, pitched a four-hitter through five innings before Hempfield's offensive outburst. Alex Brentzel hit a grand slam in Norwin's first-round win over North Hills, the Knights' first postseason victory in 17 years. She had a two-run double, driving in both of Norwin's runs in a 2-1 win over North Allegheny in the quarterfinals. … Baldwin is in the consolation game for the second consecutive season. The Highlanders lost to North Allegheny, 6-3, in last year's third-place game. For the second year in a row, Baldwin lost to Latrobe in the semifinals. Dadig is a George Mason recruit and recently was named Baldwin's Female senior Athlete of the Year. The Highlanders won the Section 1 title. The winner advances to play the champion of the District 6/District 10 sub-regional in the PIAA tournament.

Class 4A

Consolation game

No. 1 Mt. Pleasant (16-1) vs. No. 2 Yough (16-4)

2 p.m. Tuesday at Seton Hill

Coaches: Lauren Armanious, Mt. Pleasant; Dutch Harvey, Yough

Players to watch: Carolyn Alincic, Mt. Pleasant (Jr., P); Hannah Bach (Sr., SS)

Extra bases: For the second consecutive year, Mt. Pleasant looks to bounce back after losing to Belle Vernon and standout pitcher Bailey Parshall in the semifinals. A win and the Vikings can turn their focus toward defending their PIAA title. Parshall struck out 18 in the semfinals no-hitter, her second consecutive no-hit performance in the playoffs. The Vikings won the consolation game last year, 12-3, against Ambridge. Mt. Pleasant topped Yough, 7-2, in last year's state semifinals. Alincic, a Dominican recruit, struck out 12 in the loss to Belle Vernon. Meadow Uncapher homered in a 10-0 win over Knoch in the quarterfinals. … Yough is coming off a 7-2 upset loss to No. 6 Elizabeth Forward in the semifinals, which ended a bid for a third consecutive appearance in the WPIAL finals. The Cougars won the PIAA title two years ago after losing to West Allegheny in the WPIAL final. Bach, a Pitt recruit, leads an offense that has scored 10 or more runs six times. Kierra Waywood has been the Cougars' ace. Yough has been in the final four of its classification the last four years. The winner gets the District 10 champion in the first round of states.

— Jerin Steele