The WPIAL will announce baseball playoff seedings and opening-round pairings Friday.
The local field of qualifiers is just about set.
It includes: Norwin and Hempfield in Class 6A; Penn-Trafford, Latrobe and Franklin Regional in 5A; Belle Vernon, Derry and Greensburg Salem in 4A; Mt. Pleasant and Burrell in 3A; and Greensburg Central Catholic in A.
Ligonier Valley (3A) and Jeannette (A) were on the bubble with two section games apiece remaining.
Ligonier Valley has to win at least one of two against Mt. Pleasant and get some help, whereas Jeannette failed to sweep Jefferson-Morgan and missed the postseason.
First-round, quarterfinal and semifinal games will be at neutral sites. The finals will be May 27-28 at EQT Field in Washington.
Jayhawks so close
When Jeannette was 2-6 and 0-4 in Section 1-A, it didn’t seem like much of a threat to make the playoffs.
But the Jayhawks flipped the script midseason and climbed back to .500. They were two wins away from clinching a spot in the postseason. They won 6 of 7 heading into their final section series, Tuesday and Wednesday against Jefferson-Morgan, but dropped the first game 1-0.
Jeannette had to sweep to qualify.
Cardiac ’Cats
Latrobe has a history of winning tight games, and this season is no exception.
The Wildcats have played in seven one-run games and are 5-2 in them. Three of the nail-biters capped series sweeps: 7-6 over Kiski Area, 9-8 vs. Franklin Regional and 5-4 against Armstrong.
Perfection
Ligonier Valley’s Duncan Foust was perfect on the mound last week against East Allegheny.
The 6-foot right-hander tossed a six-inning perfect game as the Rams won 10-0 in six innings.
Foust struck out nine and did not issue a walk as Ligonier Valley ran its winning streak to six.
Finale rescheduled
The second game of the Franklin Regional vs. Penn-Trafford series was postponed Tuesday because of poor field conditions at Haymaker Park. It will be made up at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Haymaker Park.