May 31, 2015 5 min read

The WPIAL playoffs ended with eight champions being crowned and arguably none was more memorable than Jefferson-Morgan claiming in the WPIAL Class A title.

The Rockets (17-2) earned a valuable playoff game in District 7 and is positioned well in the PIAA bracket. Meanwhile, one lost cost Chartiers-Houston a long trip to State College and a matchup with a tough opponent.

California baseball got lucky with a trip to DuBois, when it opens the state playoffs against Oswayo Valley, which may as well be in upstate New York. Trinity softball is embracing an underdog role and this area is seeking its first team state title in the spring sports season since 2013.

Each of the four local teams in the state playoffs faces a different obstacle. Let’s take a look at each game set for Monday and we’ll start with softball.

PIAA Class A Softball

Jefferson-Morgan vs. Smethport (19-2), District 9 runner-up, at North Allegheny High School (3 p.m.)

How they got here: The Rockets entered the WPIAL playoffs as the third seed, which head coach Tony Barbetta saw as an oversight. They responded with four consecutive victories over Western Beaver, Sewickley Academy, Frazier and C-H.

Smethport was the second seed in the District 9 playoffs, beating Clarion and Port Allegany to advance to the title game against Elk County Catholic. The Hubbers lost, 1-0, in nine innings when a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded scored the winning run.

Smethport pitcher Broke Kane-Walker 18 of the first 20 batters she faced. Kane-Walker vs. J-M pitcher Madison Ludrosky will be something to watch.

Home field: The Rockets are making their first state playoff appearance since, well, we aren’t sure about that one yet; but their closer proximity to North Allegheny makes them a favorite.

Plus, Jeff-Morgan played in arguably the most difficult section in WPIAL Class A and it as a senior-laden line up.

Prediction: The ride continues for the Rockets as they win a close, low-scoring game. Their defense must be better than it was against Chartiers-Houston. Ludrosky will keep them in the game no matter what, but Smethport will take advantage if J-M throws the ball all over the field.

Chartiers-Houston (19-3) vs. West Branch (22-1), District 6 champion) at Penn State University (12:30 p.m.)

How they got here: The Bucs were the top seed in the WPIAL playoffs after sharing the Section 1-A title with J-M. They defeated Monessen and Bishop Canevin before losing, 3-2, to the Rockets in the championship game.

West Branch was the top seed in the District 6 playoffs and defeated Conemaugh Valley, 4-2, at Penn State to claim the program’s first district title since 1979.

Home field: The Warriors are looking for their second win at Penn State’s Beard Field. It’s not much of a trip for West Branch, which took advantage of several CV mistakes to earn the win.

Chartiers-Houston could potentially battle back from the WPIAL title loss, but it will need produce timely hits – something it was unable to do against Jeff-Morgan.

Prediction: West Branch inches out a win.

PIAA Class AAA Softball

Trinity (17-5) vs. Warren (17-1), District 10 champions, at Penn State-Behrend (2 p.m.)

How they got here: Trinity defeated Central Valley and West Allegheny to advance to the WPIAL semifinals, where the Hillers lost to Yough, 10-1. They advanced to the consolation game, where they defeated Southmoreland, 10-1.

The Dragons defeated Hickory, 3-0, in the District 10 semifinals and beat General McLane, 11-8, to claim the championship

Repeat: Warren won the D10 title last year before losing to Greensburg Salem in the state playoffs, but it lost arguably its top-two players. That hasn’t mattered.

The Dragons hold a .366 batting average as a team and are led on offense by pitcher Meghan Loutzenhiser (.475/21 RBI) and junior catcher Paige Wilson (.609/3 HR/7 2B/28 RBI).

Loutzenhiser has also been strong in the circle. She holds a 1.02 ERA with a 16-1 record, seven shutouts and a 154-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Field follies: Something to watch for is Warren’s struggles on defense. The Dragons have committed 26 errors this season and Trinity will definitely put the ball in play.

Prediction: Trinity wins and will get a rematch with section rival Belle Vernon in the quarterfinals.

PIAA Class A Baseball

California (19-2) vs. Oswayo Valley (20-2), District 9 champions, at Showers Field in DuBois (5 p.m.)

How they got here: The Trojans earned the top seed in the WPIAL playoffs and took advantage by defeating Western Beaver and Serra Catholic, but lost in the title game to Greensburg Central Catholic.

The Green Wave defeated Clarion Area, 10-0, in the District 9 title game at Berwind Park in St. Mary’s for a school-record 20th win. Oswayo Valley, the tournament’s third seed, also defeated Redbank Valley and DuBois Catholic.

What to watch for? Oswayo Valley has a strong defense (zero errors against Clarion), a very good freshman pitcher (Garren Black had four strikeouts and allowed just two hits in the title game) and a hitter to keep an eye on (Dylan Bucholtz has 30 RBI this season).

Prediction: California wins. Oswayo Valley is inexperienced and will be relying on a freshman pitcher. I can’t imagine the Trojans struggling defensively against the Green Wave. That’s what could cost them.