Breaking down the WPIAL baseball playoffs

By PAUL SCHOFIELD and DAN STEFANO

Published: Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8:35?a.m.
Updated 2 hours ago

Class AAAA

DEFENDING CHAMPION Seneca Valley

THE FAVORITE For the second straight season, Norwin (17-0) finished the regular season unbeaten, but the Knights hope the similarities end there, after a quarterfinal loss squashed title hopes in 2011. With six college-bound starters, including ace Nick Cubarney, the talent is certainly there for a lengthy run. Sophomore shortstop J.J. Matijevic, also hit a team-high .510 with 34 RBI and six homers.

THE CONTENDERS After a surprising run to the semifinals last year, Bethel Park isn't shocking anyone this spring - just beating them. The Black Hawks have three pitchers with at least four wins. Seneca Valley brings experience and a reliable ace in Georgetown recruit Matt Smith.

DON'T OVERLOOK There are few, if any, weak links in this bracket. North Allegheny is always tough, Upper St. Clair has pitching, and the Central Catholic-Shaler winner could get to the final. Even Norwin will have a tough quarterfinal matchup.

PREDICTION Norwin over Bethel Park.

Class AAA

DEFENDING CHAMPION Elizabeth Forward

THE FAVORITE Senior catcher Matt Emge and sophomore pitcher Brendan McKay are the biggest names on top-seeded Blackhawk's roster, but the supporting cast is one of the best around, with five other players sporting double-digit RBI totals. Emge, an Ohio State recruit, hits .510, while McKay bats .426 and has a 0.57 ERA.

THE CONTENDERS Mars won 11 of its final 12 games and features a balanced offense, led by pitcher David Bednar, who hits .413 and has seven wins. Hopewell, which was two runs away from a finals appearance last year, defeated Blackhawk earlier this year and has six returning junior starters. Thomas Jefferson ace Greg Schneider has eight wins, a 0.19 ERA and 88 strikeouts, plus he hit .583.

DON'T OVERLOOK Chartiers Valley and South Park gave Thomas Jefferson a good run in Section 3 and are capable of some upsets. Hampton overcame early struggles to win 12 of its last 14.

PREDICTION Blackhawk over Hopewell.

Class AA

DEFENDING CHAMPION Riverside

THE FAVORITE Ellwood City
(18-2) blew out No. 3 Riverside, 13-3, on Monday to clinch the Section 5-AA title and enters the playoffs on a five-game winning streak, paced by Greg Lynn, who is hitting .556 with 12 RBI.

THE CONTENDERS Shady Side Academy (15-2) is seeded second and is led by pitcher Ben Hartz (4-1). Riverside (15-5), the returning WPIAL and PIAA champion, is led by Ian Sutherland (.464, 18 RBI) and Tyler Falk (21 RBI). South Fayette (13-6) won Section 1 by two games, and Greensburg Central Catholic (12-6), led by catcher Brad Appleby (.522, 24 RBI), was the only WPIAL team to defeat Shady Side Academy. Freeport is led by Ryan Dunn (.568, 22 RBI), the top hitter in AA, and five-win pitcher Robbie Miller.

DON'T OVERLOOK Fort Cherry
(13-7) was a surprise winner out of Section 2. The Rangers are led by pitcher Tanner Garry, who had seven wins and 79 strikeouts and hit .550 with 16 RBI.

PREDICTION Ellwood City over Riverside.

Class A

DEFENDING CHAMPION Neshannock

THE FAVORITE Neshannock (18-2) is led by Florida State recruit John Sansone, who leads Class A with a .667 average and has 11 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 33 RBI.

THE CONTENDERS California's T.D. Conway (.608), Matt Bakewell (.600) and Sean Cotton (.511) have combined for 83 RBI. Conway has a WPIAL-high 10 wins. Bentworth (16-1) is led by pitcher Tyler Delval, who has five wins and batted .565 with five home runs, as well as Trevor Wood (.481). OLSH (14-5) pitcher Preston Falascino has recorded six wins. Vincentian (12-5) is led by Evan Gourley (20 RBI), while Joe Killian (.515) paces Springdale (13-6).

DON'T OVERLOOK Defending PIAA champion Serra (12-5) still has pitcher Alain Girman, who has six wins and 77 strikeouts. Girman, a Mt. St. Mary's recruit, also hit .486 with 18 RBI for the Eagles.

PREDICTION Neshannock over California.

Paul Schofield is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at pschofield@tribweb.com or 724-853-2109.

Dan Stefano is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at dstefano@tribweb.com or 412-380-5697.

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Submitted by: denny on Saturday, May 12, 2012
Still one team in AAA flying under radar....10 runned 8 teams and only won 7 straight to claim section title. Loaded with sophomore sensations....

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