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The best part of still playing high school softball in early June is it means your team is one of the best in the state.

The worst part is that — poof! — the season could be over just like that.

Hazleton Area and Pittston Area both advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals last year where their seasons ended hours apart on the same field.

Hazleton Area, just a year removed from playing for the Class 6A state championship, was whacked 15-4 by District 1 fifth seed Neshaminy. Pittston Area suffered a painful 1-0 loss to D3 third seed Solanco.

“It’s very nerve wracking honestly because you really don’t know who you’re going to play,” Hazleton Area third baseman Tiana Treon said. “Like last year. We really didn’t think Neshaminy was going to crush us like they did. We had no idea.

“You just never know. Everybody can beat everybody.”

Now both teams return to the same stadium — Patriots Park in Allentown — just one day shy of the one-year anniversary of when their 2018 seasons concluded.

“I know it’s my last year, so I just want to make it as far as I can and make a good senior year out of it, but it’s off to a good start – a district championship, a win in the state playoffs,” Pittston Area third baseman Madisyn Antal said after the opening-round victory. “It’s nice to make it back where we were last year.”

Hazleton Area (21-1) vs. Downingtown West (23-2)

Class 6A Quarterfinals

noon Thursday

Patriots Park, Allentown

Downingtown West won its first District 1 softball title in school history and certainly had to earn it. Entering as the fourth seed, the Whippets won three one-run games including a 4-3 victory over top-seeded Spring-Ford and sophomore pitcher Bri Peck, who was recently named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Softball Player of the Year.

West is loaded with hitters with seven starters batting .317 or better. Cait Coker leads the pack with a .603 average, six homers, 26 RBI, 25 extra-base hits and 26 stolen bases. Morgan DeFreitas (.438, 26 RBI) and Carly Grandizio (.353, 15 RBI) have four homers each. Taylor Posner (.354) drove in all four runs vs. Spring-Ford.

Pitcher Natalie Beebe has struck out 156 and allowed 112 hits in 135 innings. The season has been a breakthrough for West, which won a combined 22 games in 2017 and 2018. The Whippets defeated D1 sixth seed Haverford 6-2 in their state opener.

Hazleton Area won its eighth consecutive District 2 championship, outscoring two opponents 24-3. The Cougars then road a two-hitter by Aleah Kost and some stellar defense to defeat D1 fourth seed Pennsbury 2-1 in their state opener. Kost doesn’t have big strikeout numbers — 60 in 89 innings — but doesn’t allow many hits or walks.

The Cougars’ offense can match up with any team in the state. Junior Marissa Trivelpiece is hitting .493 with 11 homers and 43 RBI and will likely follow her two older sisters’ path to playing Division I in college. Julia Mrochko (.464, 8 HRs, 26 RBI) provides power from the lead-off spot. Olivia Wolk (.464) and Tiana Treon (.426) are also hitting over .400. Three others are hitting .370 or better.

The winner advances to Monday’s semifinals, playing the winner of the game between D1 third seed Spring-Ford (23-1) and D11 champion Parkland (21-3).

Pittston Area (19-3) vs. West Chester East (24-3)

PIAA Class 5A Quarterfinals

6 p.m. Patriots Park, Allentown

West Chester lived up to its billing as the top seed in the District 1 playoffs, but it wasn’t always easy. The Vikings survived eighth-seeded Interboro 1-0 and eventually won the championship by defeating Bishop Shanahan 1-0. Two of their losses have been to Downingtown West, which plays Hazleton Area in the first of four games at Patriots Park.

Kinzie Thompson leads WC East with a .471 batting average and 28 stolen bases. Sam Gomez (.418) is also hitting over .400. Paige Olson (.396, 23 RBI) and Amanda Gomez (.367, 37 RBI) are the top run producers. Pitcher Jess Gomez has a 1.97 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 121 innings. WC East topped D3 fourth seed Waynesboro 11-1 in its state opener.

While WC East last made the state playoffs in 2016, Pittston Area is in for a second consecutive year. And second time in school history.

The Patriots enter with an impressive postseason where they haven’t allowed a run in three games. Pitcher Alexa McHugh has been outstanding in the circle and threw a no-hitter in a 4-0 victory over D1 third seed Upper Perkiomen in the state opener. She has 155 strikeouts in 115 innings.

McHugh can also hit. Her .449 average is second on the team and she leads Pittston Area with 30 RBI. She and Madisyn Antal (.417, 23 RBI) are tied for the home run lead with five apiece. Bailey Loyack (.391, 12 SB) and Tori Para (.365, 24 RBI) are also part of a lineup with hitters throughout.

The winner moves to Monday’s semifinals, playing the winner of the game between D3 third seed Lampeter-Strasburg (26-1) and D3 champion Twin Valley (26-2).

Pittston Area left fielder Shayla Williams hauls in a catch in Monday’s PIAA tournament win.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_TTL060419HSSB-Pittston-UpperPerkiomen_4CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area left fielder Shayla Williams hauls in a catch in Monday’s PIAA tournament win. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Pittston Area’s Madisyn Antal is one of three players in the lineup hitting over .400 as the Patriots play West Chester East in the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals today.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_TTL060419HSSB-Pittston-UpperPerkiomen_3CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Madisyn Antal is one of three players in the lineup hitting over .400 as the Patriots play West Chester East in the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals today. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By John Erzar

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Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar