Tamaqua (17-5) vs. Pottsville (17-5)
When/where: Today, 7 p.m., Patton Field, Blue Mountain High School
Tickets: $5 adults, $3 students
How they got here: Division I wild card Tamaqua knocked off Division II winner Tri-Valley 6-5 in 11 innings in first semifinal. In the nightcap, Division I champion Pottsville cruised past Division III titlist Marian 5-1.
About the Blue Raiders
Head coach: Jillian Barron (5th season)
League playoff history: Making first appearance since event resumed in 2009.
Projected lineup: SS Lynn Kistler, jr. (.329, 23 RS, 11 RBIs); 2B Courtney Hoffman, fr., (.429, 21 RS, 10 SB); 3B Shayna Dietrich, sr. (.342, 23 RS, 7 2B, 19 RBIs); 1B Taylor Fritz, jr. (.351, 20 RS, 9 2B, 18 RBIs); CF Cailyn Joseph, soph. (.379, 13 RS, 2 HR, 13 RBIs); C Carly Sassaman, sr. (.329, 14 RBIs); P Bailey Pedersen, jr. (.222, 11 RBIs; pitching — 17-4, 1.96 ERA, 139.1 IP, 14 BB, 78 K); RF Bailey Hartung, sr., (.161); LF Brianna Wittig, sr. (.138, 10 RS)
Notes: Teams will be meeting for fourth time this season. Pottsville won 3-0 at Tamaqua on April 15; Tamaqua won 2-0 at the 16th Street Complex on May 4; and Pottsville won the Division I tiebreaker 4-3 in 8 innings on May 8 at Patton Field. Not many unknowns between these familiar foes. ... Still learning to compete against upper-level opponents, but wins over Tide and Tri-Valley are big steps forward. ... Pedersen held Pottsville to 4 hits apiece in first two meetings, but Tide broke loose for 12 hits in tiebreaker game. Pedersen isn’t a strikeout pitcher, so defense must play a lot better than it has of late. ... Hit several balls hard off Tri-Valley’s Taryn Wilson. Pedersen’s two-run single in seventh and Joseph’s two-run single in 11th were clutch. Will need more of same today.
About the Crimson Tide
Head coach: Chuck Rinaldo (9th season)
League playoff history: Making fifth straight appearance. Reached final for third time, falling to Pine Grove 7-6 in 2012 and to Williams Valley 5-3 in eight innings last season.
Projected lineup: LF Madison Garland, soph. (.277); 1B Rachel Coyle, sr. (.258, 12 RBIs); 2B Micki Garland, sr. (.463, 23 RS, 7 2B, 2 HR, 22 RBIs); CF Rachael Setlock, sr. (.302, 4 2B, 6 3B, 2 HR, 22 RBIs); SS Katie Deegan, sr. (.354, 20 RS); DP Olivia Moran, soph., (.310); 3B Elise Horvath, sr., (.215, 16 RS); P Sara Tobin, sr. (.341, 11 RBIs; pitching — 12-3, 1.24 ERA, 101.1 IP, 19 BB, 118 K); RF Kendra Boris, sr. (.250, 11 RS); C/flex Cortney Dusel, sr.
Notes: Got back to classic Tide softball in semifinal: Excellent pitching, air-tight defense and timely hitting. ... Micki Garland is on a tear, going 5-for-7 (.714) with three doubles and four RBIs in last 2 games. ... Seeking 1st league title since event returned in 2009. Preferential seed that goes to league champion would be a big deal for Tide, who sit 7th in District 11 Class AAAA ratings. Championship would likely move Pottsville to No. 2 seed behind Parkland or Liberty. A Tamaqua win likely makes Blue Raiders No. 1 in Class AA. ... Tide starting lineup features 8 seniors and 2 sophomores. ... All three games have been close heading into the late innings. Fans could be in store for another tight ballgame tonight.
— Compiled by Bob Lipsky