Bentworth, Chartiers-Houston and Trinity continue to lead their softball sections heading into the final days of the regular season, though Trinity dropped into a four-way tie with a mid-week loss last week. The top six teams in Class 6A, along with the top four teams in every other section will qualify for the playoffs along with any unbreakable ties. The WPIAL Softball Committee is scheduled to meet on May 9 to set the pairings for this year’s tournaments. Here’s a snapshot for each team in the Washington-Greene County area:
Softball: 6A Canon-McMillan (4-7) is currently in 6th place, just a half-game up on resurgent Baldwin. The two will meet for the second time on Wednesday possibly deciding the final playoff spot. The Big Macs have four games this week including a home-and-home set with unbeaten Seneca Valley.
5A Trinity (6-3) visits Bethel Pak (5-4) Monday. A win by the Hillers or a Connellsville (6-3) loss at Peters Township (1-7) clinches at least a share of the section championship. Peters Township has been eliminated from the playoff race.
4A Ringgold (2-7) lost twice to Laurel Highlands last week. The Rams have been eliminated.
3A McGuffey (4-2) split a pair of section games last week, falling to South Park, then beating Waynesburg. McGuffey clinches a playoff spot with any win or with a loss by either Brownsville (2-5) or Seton-La Salle (2-5). Waynesburg (4-4) also clinches with a win or losses by either Brownsville or Seton. We’ll have the Keystone Oaks at McGuffey game for you live Monday afternoon on WJPA-AM (1450) and online.
2A Bentworth (9-0) finally allowed a run in a section game but still run-ruled Burgettstown (4-5) The Bearcats visit Beth-Center Monday, then are off for a week before facing second place OLSH with a chance to clinch the outright section title. Charleroi (6-3) plays OLSH Monday, then closes the regular season against the two eliminated teams: Wash High (1-6) and Fort Cherry (0-10). Burgettstown and Beth-Center meet next Monday, perhaps to decide the final spot. The Blue Devils won the first meeting, 5-2, last Wednesday. The Bulldogs have five games left, including Bentworth twice, plus OLSH, Wash High and Burgettstown.
1A Chartiers-Houston (8-0), Carmichaels (7-1) and West Greene (6-3) lead the way with Jeff-Morgan (5-4) and Mapletown (4-5) each a step further back. Avella (1-8) and California (0-10) have both been eliminated. Chartiers-Houston and Carmichaels have clinched playoff berths. West Greene needs just one win in its final three games to qualify. Jeff-Morgan and Mapletown play Tuesday, the Rockets looking to sweep the season series and clinch, the Maples hoping to pull even in the standings. Each has a game with Carmichaels left to close the season.