EF softball, TJ baseball open play in state tournament

By Keith Barnes
McKeesport Daily News

Published: Monday, June 4, 2012, 12:30?a.m.
Updated 2 hours ago

Elizabeth Forward was by far the biggest surprise of the WPIAL softball playoffs.

Not only were the Warriors the lowest seed in any classification to reach a championship game, they were a victory away from becoming the first No. 9 seed to win a WPIAL Class AAA title since the expansion to three classifications in 1999.

With upsets of top-seeded Ambridge and No. 4 Greensburg Salem under its belt, it?s no wonder that, despite a 7-0 loss to Montour in the WPIAL championship game, Elizabeth Forward (17-7) already is looking forward to a return trip to California (Pa.)?s Lilley Field for a shot at the 2013 title.

?We only have two senior starters in the hitting lineup, and I think we?ll be back here next year,? coach Harry Rutherford said. ?This was a big learning experience for them. They weren?t expected to do this and, even in the playoffs, nobody expected them to be as tough as they are.?

Before Elizabeth Forward gears up for next season, it still has an opportunity to win a title this year. Led by junior pitcher Portia McBride, the Warriors enter the PIAA Class AAA tournament with a first-round game at 1 p.m. today against District X champion Fort LeBoeuf at Penn State-Behrend.

Considering how far the team has come, there is little chance of it getting down on itself after Thursday?s loss to Montour.

?They?ve had big games they were a little disappointed in before and they came back,? Rutherford said. ?Our section is one of the toughest out there, and we had some key losses and were able to jump back and still come out and play a good playoff series.?

Elizabeth Forward is coming off its second shutout ? the first was a 4-0 regular-season loss to Class AAAA finalist Hempfield on May 4 ? but could have just as tough of a time handling Fort LeBoeuf pitcher Cassie Pietkiewicz as it did in the WPIAL title game against Seton Hill recruit Kaitlyn Kutchman. Pietkiewicz is coming off a one-hitter in the District X championship game against Warren, and the Bison have state playoff experience after losing, 3-0, to Ambridge in 2011.

No District X team has beaten a WPIAL opponent in the PIAA Class AAA playoffs since 2009, when Corry defeated West Allegheny. Elizabeth Forward is in the state playoffs for the first time since 2007 when, after a win against District IX champion Clearfield, it lost, 4-1, to Corry at Slippery Rock.

Elizabeth Forward will be looking to rebound from a disappointing loss in the WPIAL playoffs, but the Thomas Jefferson baseball team already pulled off its bounce-back win and is heading to the PIAA Class AAA playoffs on a high note. It posted a 2-1, come-from-behind win against Hopewell in the third-place game.

The Jaguars have never been to the state tournament but will make their debut today with a 6 p.m. game against Warren at Slippery Rock. Warren beat Erie Cathedral Prep, 2-0, for its first District X title since 1977, the first year of the state tournament.

Thomas Jefferson will start 6-foot-7 senior Joe Shaffer and hold Pitt recruit Greg Schneider for a possible quarterfinal rematch with WPIAL champion Blackhawk. Since the City League did not enter a team in the tournament, Blackhawk received a bye and awaits today?s winner for a Thursday matchup.

Blackhawk defeated Thomas Jefferson, 1-0, in nine innings in the WPIAL semifinals. In three playoff games over 27 innings, the Jaguars have three runs.

Keith Barnes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at kbarnes@tribweb.com or 412-664-9161 Ext. 1977.

You must be signed in to add comments

To comment, click Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.

There are currently no comments for this story.

sacha baron cohen best picture nominees 2012 academy awards 2012 albert nobbs a star is born oscar nominees oscar nominations 2012