Five WPIAL teams qualified for the PIAA softball finals last week. Beaver and Mount Pleasant came home with championship trophies, while Armstrong, Ligonier Valley, and West Greene had to settle for runner-up trophies.
After the finals, all five schools set a goal of returning to Penn State's Beard Field for next year's finals. Below is a look at how realistic of a goal that is.
There have been six WPIAL schools who have made back-to-back appearances in the PIAA finals since 2000. And four of the six have made three consecutive title game appearances, including one of this year's finalists.
• West Greene placed second in Class 1A in 2016, then won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. The Pioneers made a return trip to the finals on Friday, but lost 2-1 to Tri-Valley after allowing two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
• Shaler won a Class 3A title in 2004. The PIAA added a fourth classification the following year and the Titans placed second in Class 4A in 2005 and first in 2006.
• Hempfield won three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018. The 2016 title was in Class 4A. The other two were in Class 6A after the PIAA expanded to six classes.
• Chartiers-Houston made back-to-back appearances in Class 1A in 1999 and 2000, but had to settle for a silver medal both times. The Bucs also placed second in 2003 and 2005, which gave them four appearances in seven years.
• North Allegheny won a Class 3A title in 2002, then lost in the 2003 final. Both games were against Neshaminy and both ended with a 1-0 score in extra innings.
• Latrobe made back-to-back appearances in 2007 and 2008, but finished second both years.
West Greene back again
Despite making three PIAA title game appearances in four seasons, West Greene coach Bill Simms was a bit surprised that the Pioneers advanced to this year's Class 1A finals.
"To be honest, we came into the season with so many question marks," Simms said. "We had only two players who had varsity experience, so it was a far reach to think that we would make it this far. That's what makes this year so gratifying. We exceeded our expectations, but it's sad the way it ended."
West Greene had only two seniors on this years squad: center fielder Jersey Wise and designated player Katlynn Walls.
"We certainly have a bright outlook on the future," Simms said. "It adds a little bit of pressure and intrigue knowing we have almost everybody back. We have something to shoot for. That's a positive, but it can also be a negative. We have to continue to work hard to reach these lofty goals."
West Greene's top returnees are junior pitcher Kiley Meek (.358 average, seven homers, 39 RBIs), sophomore catcher London Whipkey (.511 avg., 16 doubles, 46 RBIs), shortstop Katie Lampe (.356 average, 35 RBIs, 40 runs) and outfielder Olivia Kiger (.342 average). Meek had a 21-3 record and recorded 137 strikeouts.
Armstrong makes championship debut
Armstrong finds itself in a similar situation after its 10-7 loss to Lampeter-Strasburg in the PIAA Class 5A title game. It was the first PIAA title appearance for the River Hawks, who featured a lineup with only one senior, designated player Riley Kilgore.
"I may have been surprised at the beginning of the year," said Armstrong coach Doug Flanders, when asked if he was surprised such a young team went this far. "But as the year went on, I knew we could go far. They just kept playing as hard as they could."
Armstrong's defensive alignment consisted of two freshmen, five sophomores and two juniors.
"I'm not surprised we made it this far," said junior third baseman Mackenzie Egley, who had a .500 average, seven homers and 31 RBIs. "In our first practice you could tell that this team clicked. I knew we could go far."
Egley and freshman shortstop Emma Paul are hoping for a return trip to the finals next year.
"It was tough getting here, but hopefully we will be back the next couple years." said Paul, who had a .425 average, 28 runs and 30 RBIs.
Other top returnees are sophomore outfielders Jenna Clontz (.446 avg., 6 homers, 30 RBIs) and Emma Smerick (.420 avg., 7 triples, 8 homers, 39 runs), and freshman first baseman Jesse Pugh (.391 avg., 10 homers, 27 RBIs).
"Our future is bright, but (losing) still doesn't sit well with me," Flanders said. "You never know when you are going to get another opportunity. Hopefully, we're back here many more times."
Flanders unveiled Armstrong's motto for the 2022 season at Monday's team banquet.
"'Turn silver into gold' will be our motto," Flanders said. "We placed second in Section 1, second in the WPIAL, and second in the PIAA. Our goal will be to win all three titles."
Battle of wounded knee
Beaver coach Amy Haggart is usually the third-base coach, but she gave up that idea this year because of an injured knee.
Haggart slipped on some ice coming out of an indoor team practice in early February and suffered a dislocated knee and two torn ligaments. Haggart was in her third season as coach, but coaching third base this year was Butch Rousseau, who was Beaver's head coach before Haggart took over.
"Looking back, one of the things that really affected me was the fact that the girls there when I hurt my knee and not one of them left until I was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital," Haggart said. "They stayed there, which really shows the bond we had as a team."
On top of Haggart's injury, assistant coach Leah Nocera had a baby a few days before the WPIAL championship. Knowing she would need more coaching help, Haggart recruited her father, Andy Kurtz, to help coach late in the season.
"Without them (Kurtz and Rousseau), it would have been super challenging because they were a huge help at practices and games," Haggart said. "It was also amazing to experience this with my father as well."
Beaver loses five starters to graduation, but junior pitcher Payton List returns on the mound after posting a 19-0 record for the Bobcats.
Mount Pleasant's family affair
Mount Pleasant won its second title in five years with a 5-3 win over Mid Valley in the PIAA Class 3A final. The Vikings won by the same score in their 2017 title match against Tunkhannock, that one coming in Class 4A.
Vikings coach Chris Brunson was able to share the title with his daughters: Haylie, a senior second basman who will be playing at Pitt next year, and Krista, a sophomore right fielder.
"It’s incredible because I was only going to have them for this year on the same team," coach Brunson said. "I have a senior and a sophomore. Last year, COVID stole our year. That would have been two years with them. Being a little bit of a dad right now, it’s something that I’ll never forget."
Haylie Brunson had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs.
"It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life," Haylie Brunson said. "Having my dad as the coach and my sister on the team, we’ve had so many memories playing this game. And to do it with them was really awesome."
Haylie Brunson is one of four Vikings starters who will be playing in college next year. The others are first baseman Courtney Poulich (Liberty), pitcher Mary Smithnosky (Western Michigan) and shortstop Hannah Gnibus (Pitt-Johnstown)
Griffin begins recruiting process
Ligonier Valley pitcher Maddie Griffin was possibly the most dominating pitcher in the WPIAL this season. She led the Rams to the PIAA Class 2A title game for the first time in school history, but had to settle for a silver medal after a 1-0, nine-inning loss to Line Mountain.
Griffin, a junior, recorded 17 strikeouts to finish the season with 316, which is believed to be a school record. She recorded 11 no-hitters and four perfect games.
"Maddie was phenomenal for us this season," Ligonier Valley coach Mark Zimmerman said. "It's not often a pitcher gets 300 strikeouts in a season. The great thing is that she's coming back."
Griffin will be one of the most highly sought after players in the WPIAL as the recruiting process starts for her.
"I've been talking to some people and have some schools in mind, but I haven't been able to sit down and talk with any of the coaches," Griffin said. "I will start that process soon."
Ligonier Valley loses five starters to graduation, including three infielders and catcher Eden Krouse. The Rams lone infielder returning is sophomore Haley Boyd, who led the team with a .460 average.
"Making it to the PIAA finals will drive us to win next year," Griffin said. "Our underclassmen will have a chance to come back next year and win the title. It's inspiration to come back."
(Post-Gazette writers Mike White and Brad Everett contributed to this story)
First Published: June 24, 2021, 10:00 a.m.