District 11 softball predictions: Who can handle the heat?

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER As we look ahead to tonight's semifinals in District 11 Classes 4A, 3A and 2A, the one thing that comes immediately to mind when you take one step outside is -- who can handle the heat? Remember, these girls play in weekend softball tournaments all summer long, sometimes playing four or five games in one day. Most of them are used to the heat, and yet, hot is still hot and the summer teams are more equipped for the heat with their uniforms, coolers and tents etc. than the high school teams. If the games go extra innings, you definitely could see some teams bothered more than others by the warm temps. Because both Parkland and Emmaus feature two quality pitchers and not just one, you might give the edge to the Trojans and Green Hornets tonight. Last week I thought we'd be looking at an Emmaus-Liberty final, but I didn't like the way the Hurricanes struggled against Pocono Mt. East. Parkland, meanwhile, came out and took care of business, pounding Nazareth. That's a sign that the Trojans remain hungry. So, I am going with (Emmaus 5, Northampton 2) and (Parkland 4, Liberty 3) in the 4A games. But I will admit this, and it's not a copout, these four teams are so evenly matched that any title-game matchup that emerges tonight will not shock me. I just believe that Emmaus has a huge edge playing its home games at Pates Park and Parkland has played the best softball over the second half of the season with the exception of one bad night against Becahi in the LVC semis. In 3A, I think Becahi has its act together, finally, and will get to the finals against Pottsville, which will outlast Saucon Valley in a high-scoring game. Scores? (Becahi 9, Northwestern 3) and (Pottsville 8, Saucon Valley 6). In 2A, I will stay with the top two seeds and league champs, Pen Argyl and Pine Grove, but the Green Knights may have more of a struggle than you'd think. Remember, it took a two-run single by Kassy Beckage for Pen Argyl to beat North Schuylkill for a 2-1 win in last year's semis. It has been a nice season for the Blue Bombers and I give them a puncher's chance against the Cardinals, but junior Pine Grove pitcher Ethel Mae Santai, who has 264 strikeouts in 154 innings, might be too much. Scores? (Pen Argyl 3, North Schuylkill 2) and (Pine Grove 2, Palmerton 1). Let's just hope they get the games played. Late-afternoon thunderstorms are quite possible, unfortunately.