What’s coming up: 5A Softball First Round

Posted on: by Big 56 Conference

by: Don Rebel

SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS COMMENCE

Warm and sunny is a perfect way to start the 2024 WPIAL playoffs, with softball and lacrosse first-round contests getting the ball rolling Monday.

A year ago, the Shaler softball team was the No. 2 seed in the WPIAL Class 5A bracket.

The Titans defeated Bethel Park and Franklin Regional before being knocked off by eventual champion Trinity in the district semifinals.

Shaler regrouped thanks in part to the pitching of freshman Bria Bosiljevac and defeated Central Mountain, Trinity and Armstrong to reach the PIAA title game, where they lost to Northern York, 3-2.

After a 14-3 season, the Titans are hoping for another lengthy postseason run, but they will have to do so without Bosiljevac, who is sidelined for the rest of the season with a hand injury.

She last pitched in early April, so the team has adjusted to life without their sophomore sensation.

The Titans won five straight before losing to Seneca Valley in their regular-season finale.

Shaler is the No. 5 seed and will open the postseason against No. 12 Franklin Regional at 4 p.m. at Plum.

In the other seven first-round 5A games:

• Top seed and 2023 runner-up Armstrong (14-3) will play Western Beaver (6-6) at 5 p.m. at North Allegheny.

• Connellsville (12-7) was the Section 4-5A co-champion, but they are the No. 8 and will battle the third-place team out of Section 1-5A, Plum (11-6), at 4 p.m. at Gateway on Trib HSSN.

• Two teams that lost in the opening round of the playoffs a year ago collide at West Mifflin when No. 4 Penn-Trafford (12-5) faces No. 13 Bethel Park (10-9) on Trib HSSN.

• North Hills (13-4) won the Section 1-5A championship and is the No. 2 seed as they meet No. 15 Mars (6-12) at 3 p.m. at North Allegheny.

• Back in late March, No. 7 South Fayette (11-5) defeated No. 10 Thomas Jefferson (9-7), 7-5. Now they meet again at 2 p.m. at Peterswood Park in Peters Townshipfor a spot in the 5A quarterfinals.

• A year ago in the 5A first round, No. 3 West Allegheny (17-3) crushed No. 14 Fox Chapel (7-9), 18-3. The rematch is set for 7 p.m. at North Allegheny on Trib HSSN.

• Defending WPIAL 5A champion Trinity (11-5) is the No. 6 seed as they take on No. 11 Latrobe(9-10) at 5 p.m. at Montour.