Defending WPIAL Class 5A softball champion West Allegheny earned the top seed in the playoffs, while Beaver also earned a top four seed in Class 4A. A look at the full first round schedule.
West Allegheny softball coach Mindi McFate said prior to the season that her primary concern was keeping her team focused after winning the first WPIAL championship in program history.
So far, so good for the Indians. West Allegheny finished the regular season 17-1 and will begin the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs as the top seed. West Allegheny will have a first round bye and will play the winner of Trinity versus Gateway on Wednesday, May 16.
The Indians weren't the only local team to be rewarded with a top four seed the WPIAL. Beaver, which rolled to the Section 3-4A title with an 11-1 record, earned the No. 3 seed in the Class 4A bracket. The Bobcats will open the playoffs against Highlands on Tuesday. The game will be played at Baldwin High School with a 5 p.m. first pitch as part of a tripleheader involving local schools. No. 6 seeded Ambridge will play Derry at 7 p.m, while Freedom, the No. 10 seed in Class 3A, will open the tripleheader with a game against Waynesburg at 3 p.m.
Here's the full first round schedule for teams from the Times coverage area:
CLASS 5A
No. 6 Moon vs. Thomas Jefferson, Monday 6 p.m. at West Allegheny
CLASS 4A
No. 3 Beaver vs. Highlands, Tuesday 5 p.m. at Baldwin
No. 6 Ambridge vs. Derry, Tuesday 7 p.m. at Baldwin
No. 8 Blackhawk vs. Knoch, Tuesday 2 p.m. at Hampton
CLASS 3A
No. 9 Ellwood City vs. South Allegheny, Tuesday 2 p.m. at Hampton
No. 10 Freedom vs. Waynesburg, Tuesday 3 p.m. at Baldwin
CLASS 2A
No. 12 OLSH vs. Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Monday 4:15 p.m. at Fox Chapel
CLASS 1A
No. 6 Sewickley Academy vs. Mapletown, Monday 4 p.m. at Peters Township
No. 9 Western Beaver vs. St. Joseph's, Monday 4 p.m. at Fox Chapel