District 11 Softball Preview Capsule
Class A Championship
Williams Valley (19-2) vs. Tri-Valley (20-2)
When/Where: Today, 6 p.m., Patton Field, Orwigsburg
Tickets: $6 adults, $3 students
How they got here: Second-seeded Williams Valley defeated Minersville 10-2. Top-seeded Tri-Valley shut out Marian 10-0 in five innings in semifinals.
About the Vikings
Head coach: Lee Reiser (22nd season)
District playoff history: Williams Valley is making its 10th straight appearance in district final (2006-15). Won championships in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2013. Has been Class A runner-up five times.
Projected lineup: SS Hannah Nestor (.507, 26 R, 38 SB), CF Rayanne Hawk (.387, 30 R, 19 SB), P Tianna Yanoscak (13-2, 2.07 ERA, 100 Ks in 91.1 innings; batting — .446, 22 RBIs), 2B Kate Whelski (.606, 28 R, 6 HR, 30 RBIs), C Maura Kreiser (.483, 18 RBIs), 3B Caitlyn Pinchorski (.327, 22 R, 4 HR, 24 RBIs), 1B Haley Nestor (.397, 12 R, 14 RBIs), RF Kyrsten Miller (.280, 12 RBIs), LF Bindy Boyer (.244)
Notes: Lost to Minersville 2-1 in last season’s district final, but took 2-of-3 from Miners this season, including most important one in last week’s semifinals. ... Split games with Tri-Valley, winning 8-6 in nine innings April 11 in Tower City and falling 6-1 on May 4 in Hegins. Yanoscak’s two-run homer in bottom of ninth gave Vikes a walk-off win. ... Experienced lineup has seven starters from 2013 state championship team. Yanoscak also played a good bit on that club. ... Starts five seniors, three juniors and one sophomore. ... Hannah Nestor has gotten hot down the stretch. When she gets on and causes trouble on the bases, Williams Valley is tough to beat.
About the Bulldogs
Head coach: Marty Shade (24th season)
District playoff history: Dawgs won Class A championship in 2002. They’ve been the runner-up six times, most recently in 2013, when they lost 7-1 to Williams Valley.
Projected lineup: SS Wendy Header (.356, 26 R, 14 RBIs), LF Taylor Header (.462, 28 R, 15 RBIs), CF Maddie Horn (.576, 29 R, 3 HR, 27 RBIs), P Taryn Wilson (20-2, 1.35 ERA, 124 IP, 16 BB, 215 K; batting — .507, 3 HR, 30 RBIs), C Cat Troutman (.319), 2B Jordyn Ebersole (.321), 3B Kat Sherry (.344), 1B Megan Boyer (.510, 13 R, 18 RBIs), DP Brittany Geist (.356), RF River Deeter
Notes: No secrets between these Division II rivals. ... Wilson got roughed up in first meeting with Vikings but held them to one run on four hits in the rematch. She’s the one pitcher in the Schuylkill League capable of holding Williams Valley’s offense down. ... Also an experienced team that starts five seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and a freshman. ... Beyond Wilson and solid defense, reason Dawgs won Division II title was their improved hitting. All starting nine batters have averages over .300. ... Top three in Tri-Valley’s lineup must produce for Dawgs to be successful. ... Shapes up as another instant classic.
Up Next: Winner advances to PIAA Tournament to meet District 12 champion June 1 at a District 11 site.
— Compiled by Bob Lipsky