Class A Semifinal Bristol (19-4) vs. Minersville (22-3)
When/Where: Today, 1 p.m., Patriots Park, Allentown
Tickets: $8 adults, $4 students
How they got here: District 1 champion Bristol routed GAMP 24-0 and shut out South Williamsport 5-0. District 11 champ Minersville beat Bloomsburg 13-3 in six innings and routed Halifax 12-2 in five innings.
Up Next: Winner advances to PIAA Championship Game and faces either District 7 champion Neshannock or District 6 runner-up Claysburg-Kimmel. Game time is 3 p.m. Friday at Penn State University's Nittany Lion Softball Park.
About the Miners
Head coach: Dave Homa (13th season)
PIAA history: Have won eight state championships (1979, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1999, 2005, 2011) and finished second in 1991. ... Making 23rd appearance in state playoffs with all-time record of 49-14.
Projected lineup: SS Reighly Melochick (.525, 24 RS), CF Adrienne Kroznuskie (.624, 43 RS, 9 HR, 37 RBIs), RF Lindsey Snyder (.479, 3 HR, 26 RBIs), 1B Emily Mealey (.423, 37 RBIs), C Morgen Woodford (.463, 2 HR, 25 RBIs), 2B Leah Leshko (.413, 20 RS), 3B Rachel Sterner (.414, 19 RS, 16 RBIs), DP Maura Bentz (.378, 13 RS, 12 RBIs), LF Alyse Ryan (.377, 19 RS, 15 RBIs), P/flex Riley Gerenda (13-3, 1.22 ERA, 91.2 IP, 116 K)
Notes: Have been crushing the ball of late, piling up 25 runs on 24 hits in two state playoff games. Getting contributions up and down the lineup as every starter reached base at least once against both Bloomsburg and Halifax. Will need more of the same the rest of the way. ... After struggling against Bloomsburg, defense returned to form with error-free game against Halifax. ... Woodford has thrown out 3 runners trying to steal during states. ... Seniors Melochick, Woodford and Leshko will be playing in seventh state softball playoff game. ... Win over Halifax improved all-time record to 796-154.
About the Warriors
Head coach: Mike Lalli (29th season)
PIAA history: A perennial state qualifier, Bristol lost to Northeast Bradford in last year's quarterfinals. ... Captured Class AA state championship in 1990 with 2-1 victory over Canevin.
Projected lineup: 3B Tianna Brewington (.424, 36 RS, 12 SB, 19 RBIs), LF Maya Alicea (.204, 18 RS, 15 RBIs), P Mary Wallick (.446, 11 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 34 RBIs; pitching - 16-4, 1.51 ERA, 125 IP, 183 K), SS Olivia D'Emidio (.424, 31 RS, 2 HR, 23 RBIs), 1B Jade Stevens (.387, 16 RS, 22 RBIs), C Rose Scalzo (.368, 7 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 23 RBIs), DP Mariel DeLuca (.320, 15 RS, 18 RBIs), CF Marlee Sutterley (.366, 18 RS, 10 SB, 16 RBIs), RF Katelyn Santana (.372, 14 RS), 2B/flex Desiree Franchitti
Notes: Have a long history with Schuylkill League in general and Minersville in particular. In 2000 state opener, Bristol edged defending state champion Minersville 1-0. In 2008 first round, Minersville topped Bristol 2-1. In 2009 first round, Bristol outlasted Williams Valley 4-3 in 10 innings. And in 2011, Minersville shut out Bristol 5-0 in quarterfinals at Patriots Park en route to state championship. ... Wallick, only Bristol player who saw action in 2011 game, was starting center fielder. ... Warriors are batting .354 as a team. ... Start 3 seniors, 2 juniors, 3 sophomores and 2 freshmen. ... Lost to Christopher Dock (1-0 and 5-4), Neshaminy (4-2) and Harry S. Truman (2-1).
Directions: Take Interstate 78 East to Lehigh Valley and stay left on 78 at the 78/22 split. Take the Lehigh Street exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left and follow Lehigh Street toward Allentown. Stay to the right at the Parkway Shopping Center. After ECTB Stadium, turn left onto Howard Street. Travel one block and turn left onto Wyoming Street, then make an immediate left onto 10th Street. Continue on 10th Street to St. John Street, then turn left to facility.
- Compiled by Bob Lipsky