Colonial League softball tournament predictions

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

With all four teams finishing the regular season at 12-4 in the league, there are certainly no favorites in tonight's Colonial League semifinal games.

The hottest teams are Palmerton and Notre Dame.

The Blue Bombers have won nine staight and the Crusaders have taken eight in a row.

Catty has also played well down the stretch.

The only team to struggle in the two weeks has been defending champion Pen Argyl, and yet, they have the most experience coming into the tournament.

After Monday's two dramatic LVC games, the Colonial has a tough act to follow.

How we see them:

Pen Argyl 4, Notre Dame 3 -- The Green Knights won the only previous meeting between these two, 5-3, on April 22. Emily Smull is not only the most experienced pitcher in this field, but may be the best hitter. She hit .490 with five home runs and 21 RBIs in Colonial League games. Sarah Gaffney has been outstanding in the circle for the Crusaders. Should be a very close game, but Smull could be the difference-maker.

Palmerton 5, Catasauqua 2 -- These two have already met once at Pates Park this season. Back on April 27 on the Colonial League's "Play Day" , the Bombers beat the Roughies 1-0 on a wild pitch in the seventh inning. That was an outstanding pitcher's duel between Palmerton freshman Kendra Pekurny and Catty junior Kortney Kunkle and a vastly different game than the 10-0 spanking the Rough Riders gave the Bombers back in March in their first meeting. These offenses are too good to be shut down again. The Bombers have played a little better defense than the Roughies and that's where I give the edge.