Class AAAA Softball
at Bloomsburg University, noon
Pennsbury facts: The Falcons (20-4) are a perennial powerhouse and lost to Hatboro Horsham, 4-3 in last year's state final. The Falcons have won five state titles. Pennsbury was District 1's top seed and beat Penn Ridge and Methacton, 1-0 and 2-1, respectively, before losing in the semifinals to Bishop Shanahan 4-0 in the semifinals and C.B. South, 9-1 in the third-place game. That was an uncharaceteristic game for a team with six starters back from last year's state finalist. Junior pitcher Val Buehler allowed 16 hits in that game but is one of District 1's best and went 23-3 last year with 136 strikeouts. She pitched a three-hitter with seven strikeouts against Penn Ridge. Suzanne Swanicke, Christina Bascara and Michelle George are good run producers, while Mackenzie Obert and Jessica Greenwalt spark the offense at the top of the lineup. Pennsbury was an inning away from winning last year's state title before making some defensive mistakes late that cost it.
Williamsport facts: The Millionaires (18-3) are District 2-4 Class AAAA champions for a second straight year and are hoping to build off last year's state quarterfinal run. Five starters are back from that team which District 1 Spring-Ford in the opening round. Williamsport is coming off a dramatic 1-0 district championship win over Hazleton. Freshman Marissa Crane dropped a walk-off squeeze bunt, scoring Dominique Thomas from third. Pitcher Alexis Bower is a finalist for the State Player of the Year and threw a one-hit shutout that included 11 strikeouts. In two postseason starts, Bower has allowed no runs, two hits and struck out 25 in 13 innings. She has thrown six shutouts in seven career playoff starts. The Millionaires pounded Delaware Valley, 8-0 in a rain-shortened semifinal and the offense produced 13 hits. Senior third baseman Brooke Pompeo sparks the offense from her lead-off position while Thomas has been solid from the clean-up spot and plays well in center field. Freshmen like Crane, Taylor Brooks, Tiana McCormick and Kaitlin Caringi all have come up big at different times as has injured shortstop Mikayla Bower who is hoping to return from a sprained MCL injury suffered midway through the season.
Winner plays: Either North Penn or Lower Dauphin
