Softball playoff picks: Power to the P's (Parkland, Pen Argyl and Palmerton)

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER I am disappointed that rain forced the Lehigh Valley Conference and Colonial League softball semifinals to be played on the same night at different sites. I would have liked to see all four games tonight. As it is, I will be at Parkland for the Lehigh Valley Conference games and will do updates here on Groller's Corner and on Twitter @KeithGroller. Look for colleague Mark Wogenrich's coverage of the Colonial League doubleheader. As for predictions on the games, the one thing I made sure not to do was talk to Pen Argyl coach Bill Schankel. Had I talked to Schankel, he would have convinced me that his team was going to get 10-runned by Northwestern tonight, and that he's a horrible coach and that his team still can't pitch, throw, catch or hit. I happen to think he's one of the best coaches in the area, but no one downplays himself or his team better than Schankel. He sand-bagged me pretty well back in March when I called him for the league preview, convincing me that his squad would struggle this year. Of course, all the Green Knights did was go 15-1 in the league and 18-2 overall. I won't be fooled again. My predictions for the COLONIAL LEAGUE GAMES tonight: Pen Argyl 6, Northwestern 3 --- These teams played a one-run game at Pates Park a few weeks ago, and Jen Horner has done a nice job with the Tigers. But I won't underestimate Pen Argyl and freshman star Alyssa Weaver and sophomore pitcher Emily Smull -- among others -- again. Palmerton 5, Saucon Valley 4 --- These teams also played a back-and-forth thriller during the regular season, a one-run game won by the Panthers on a Sam Laub home run. The Blue Bombers, with the exception of a blowout loss to Pen Argyl, played very well down the stretch and Saucon Valley did not, although it did get a no-hitter from Steph Rusu against Wilson in its last game. Palmerton pitcher Martina Herring is the key. If she pitches with poise, Palmerton has a great shot. The Blue Bombers must contain Saucon's speedy shortstop Arastina Barry. No matter who wins, one team will be one win away from its first league title ever. Didra_Mr 419Saucon has a huge postseason monkey on its back. Is tonight the night the gorilla gets set free? I know Saucon Valley coach Scott Didra, pictured above, believes in his kids. However, I will believe it only when I see it, or in this case, hear about it. LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE GAMES Liberty 4, Emmaus 3 --- Two-game losing streak late last week surprised me. The Hurricanes will miss injured all-league first baseman Katie Souders from its lineup. Liberty has lost in the league finals the last two years and three times in LVC history. Liberty's last league crown came in the East Penn Conference in 1993 and Emmaus' last league gold came in 2001 with Shannon Williams. LHS pitcher Erin Wilson has been very tough at times this season, but the Green Hornets hit her well at Pates Park a few weeks ago. Emmaus' Olivia Marcks has also been superb at times this season, but Liberty's lineup is just a little more potent. Parkland 5, Becahi 4 -- The Golden Hawks were my pick in March, and were disappointing back in April, but have played much better lately. No one has been hotter lately than the Trojans, who have won 12 straight games and, because of the rain, get to be at home tonight. The Trojans have been a little stronger offrensively than the Golden Hawks and get a slight edge defensively. However, if Joelle Morey (seen below) is sharp, Becahi, which won the league title as the wild-card team last year, could be on its way to doing it again.