May 30, 2025 By Jerin Steele 4 min read

It was a tough week for local baseball and softball teams playing in WPIAL championships, but now there’s a chance for a fresh start in the state tournament.

Carmichaels baseball and softball and Chartiers-Houston softball all lost their respective district title games.

If there’s a group that knows how to navigate their way to states after suffering disappointment in the WPIAL playoffs it’s the Mikes’ softball team.

They just did it one year ago.

Carmichaels lost to Chartiers-Houston in the WPIAL semifinals, but shook that off and made it all the way to the Class A state title game.

The journey to repeat that feat begins with a trip to play at District 5 champion Berlin Brothersvalley in the first round, 4:30 p.m. Monday.

All first round games are scheduled for Monday.

“When we have the right mindset going into the game, are calm in the batter’s box and in the field, the game usually goes our way,” Carmichaels pitcher Bailey Barnyak said. “That’s what we had last year in our run to states.”

Along with Carmichaels and Chartiers-Houston, Bentworth (Class 2A) and West Greene (Class A) qualified for the state playoffs in softball. Peters Township (Class 5A) joins Carmichaels (Class A) in the state baseball postseason.

Carmichaels coach Dave Briggs knows it won’t be an easy task. It’s a fairly short turnaround from Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Union in the WPIAL championship.

“It’s a tough haul,” Briggs said. “It’s hard to get up there. I’ve had some really good teams that have lost the first game of states, so we have to be ready to go. To me, the first one is always the toughest.”

If the Mikes can advance to the semifinals, a potential rematch with Union looms. It could provide an opportunity to get a second chance after Union pitcher Mia Preuhs no-hit the Mikes Thursday.

“That means we won two games if we do see them again,” Briggs said. “Hopefully we can get another shot.”

Chartiers-Houston will try to make a deep run into the state playoffs after losing to Neshannock, 7-1, in Thursday’s WPIAL Class 2A championship game.

The Bucs will play at District 9 champion Cranberry in their state playoff opener at 4 p.m.

Cranberry is located in Venango County.

Chartiers-Houston will aim to rebound from a WPIAL final loss. The Bucs committed four errors and that helped Neshannock continue its run of WPIAL dominance. The Lancers won their fourth straight district title and the senior class remained unbeaten against WPIAL opponents in their careers. They are 96-1 overall.

If the Bucs make it to the semifinals, they’ll likely play Neshannock again.

“It’s a short window whether you win or lose (the WPIAL championship),” Chartiers-Houston coach Tricia Alderson said. “We talked about that with the girls this week. We have to flush the result quickly and get back to work this weekend. I know we’re going to have to travel a few hours, but we’re still happy to be playing and so proud of the team. Hopefully, we can see (Neshannock) again.”

Bentworth lost its consolation game against Riverside on Tuesday, so it’ll be the fourth-place team out of the WPIAL in Class 2A and will be on the opposite side of the bracket from the other WPIAL teams.

The Bearcats travel to play District 6 champion West Shamokin at 4 p.m.

West Greene was the lone local softball team to pick up a win last week. The Pioneers beat Jefferson-Morgan, 4-3, in the Class A third-place game. They’ll take on District 10 champ Cambridge Springs, 6 p.m. at Slippery Rock University.

Baseball

Carmichaels plays District 6 champ Homer-Center, 6 p.m. Monday at First Commonwealth Field in Homer City.

Peters Township travels to play at District 3 champion Lampeter-Strasburg at 4 p.m.

Carmichaels lost the WPIAL Class A championship, 9-0, to Serra Catholic.

Peters Township fell, 17-2, to Bethel Park in the Class 5A consolation game and are the fourth place team out of the WPIAL.