WPIAL softball playoffs
Class 4A
First round
9-Derry (10-4) vs. 8-Beaver Area (9-7)
3 p.m. Monday at Gateway
Winner plays: 1-Elizabeth Forward (17-2) on Thursday in quarterfinals (time, site TBD)
Players to watch: Haylee Myers, Derry; Bridget Mayo, Beaver
Extra bases: Derry is in a similar position to where it was last season. It was the No. 8 seed and beat Greensburg Salem before facing Elizabeth Forward in the quarterfinals and losing 23-2 in three innings. Myers has had a terrific season in the circle. She tossed a seven-inning perfect game against Freeport. A 2-1, walk-off win against Greensburg Salem last year was the second playoff win in school history. … Beaver made the semifinals last year and lost to Hampton. The Bobcats finished fourth in Section 3 this year behind Blackhawk, Hampton and North Catholic. They split two section games with Hampton this year. Coach Amy Haggart reached 100 career wins this season.
13-Greensburg Salem (5-8) vs. 4-Hampton (12-5)
5 p.m. Monday at Gateway
Winner plays: Winner of 12-Uniontown (10-7)/5-Indiana (13-5) on Thursday in quarterfinals (time, site TBD)
Players to watch: Alle Scarpa, Greensburg Salem; Marissa Snyder, Hampton
Extra bases: Greensburg Salem returns to the postseason after a first-round loss last season to Derry. The Golden Lions have allowed 127 runs, second-most in Section 1. Scarpa, a Seton Hill commit, has four home runs and 18 RBIs. The Golden Lions tied for fourth in Section 1. … Hampton finished tied for second with North Catholic in Section 3. The Talbots put up 167 runs to lead the section. The suffered a 3-0 loss to 5A No. 1 Shaler, but they beat 5A Fox Chapel, 7-1, and 6A Seneca Valley, 4-2. Snyder bats .531 and Josie Fritsch .500 for the Talbots.