http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
FROM KEITH GROLLER
The biggest question as I type away at 11:15 on Thursday morning is: Will they play?
It rained hard here on Groller's Corner overnight and it doesn't look that great out there right now.
Last year I had to cover a playoff game on Pleasant Valley and Stroudsburg on Memorial Day itself.
I hope it doesn't come to that and we can get these games played without too much intrusion on the holiday weekend.
I didn't fare all that great on Tuesday, going 3-2 with my first-round predictions.
The story on Thursday is the 4A quarterfinals where the three league champs Parkland, Pleasant Valley and Bangor are all in action. Very seldom do all top three seeds get to the semis.
Right now, though, the one constant in this very unpredictable, up-and-down softball season is the quality play by Parkland. Hard to believe that's going to change here.
My predictions:
CLASS 4A
Parkland 7, Nazareth 2 -- I think Morgan Rentzheimer's streak of scoreless innings, which I believe is at 49, does end here because the Blue Eagles can swing the bats. But I think the Trojans will get their own bats booming.
Whitehall 5, Bangor 4 -- After I picked against the Zephyrs the other day and they won, I got more than a few requests to go with Bangor here from Whitehall people. Of course, the Slaters, who remember I picked against them in the Colonial League also don't want me to pick them. This one should be very competitive, but I have learned over the years that when in doubt -- a good LVC team usually beats a great Colonial League team.
Liberty 8, Northampton 6 -- Kudos to the Konkrete Kids for fighting back against Easton the other day. And kudos to the 'Canes Victoria Schmidt for her shutout over PM East. I see a lot of runs scored in this one, although the move down the street to Moravian College should make home runs a little more difficult. Either way, some outstanding softball careers are going to end today.
Freedom 5, Pleasant Valley 3 -- The Patriots showed me a lot of spirit on Wednesday afternoon during their bell ceremony. I think pitcher Shayla Peterson is a rising star. Freedom has been off the radar most of the year, due mostly to inconsistency. Here's a chance for them to get a big win and punch their ticket to Pates on Tuesday night.
CLASS 3A
Palmerton 6, Northwestern 3 -- The Blue Bombers got off to a slow start this season and in the eyes of many, have underachieved. The Tigers, too, have been hard to figure. I just think the Palmerton offense has been a little more consistent.
Wilson 4, Lehighton 1 -- The Warriors are now district tournament regulars and know what to expect. Experience makes a difference. This is rare game under the lights for them and I think they will shine in this setting.
CLASS 2A
North Schuylkill 5, Tamaqua 3 -- Tamaqua's Mike Hromyak is still the most informative AD I know.
CLASS A
Williams Valley 6, Tri-Valley 1 -- Never go against an unbeaten team in a district semi.
Minersville 7, Marian Catholic 4 -- I never go against the Battlin' Miners in softball.
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