Riverside Softball, Baseball Teams Each Qualify For WPIAL Playoffs That Begin Next Week

The Riverside girls softball team (8-5 Overall) has qualified for the Class 2A WPIAL Softball Playoffs, earning a #7 seed in the playoff picture.

The Lady Panthers’ playoff journey will begin on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. when they travel to West Mifflin High School to play #10 Brentwood.

“We don’t know much about our opening round opponent, but we know us,” says head coach Geri Cummings. “We will be ready to compete next Thursday.”

The coach is appreciative that the WPIAL committee put all four Section 2A-1 teams in different wings of the bracket and it gives everyone a chance to play other opponents in other sections for at least 2 rounds.

“I concur with the committee’s decision that our section is the toughest so we are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead against unfamiliar opponents in different sections,” adds Cummings.

Section 1-2A foe Laurel (13-4 Overall) is the top overall seed while Neshannock (5-seed) and Shenango (6-seed) also enter the playoff picture. One-loss section champions Chartiers-Houston (2-seed) and Bentworth (3-seed) also pose threats.

The Lady Panthers fell to Shenango 6-4 on May 4th in its regular season finale. Adde Burry had three hits in defeat. Riverside split its season series with both Shenango and Neshannock.

The Panthers are showing its talent and relying on confidence and experience headed into the bracket according to Cummings.

“Our senior pitching duo of Joci Cummings & Ayla Sterner have been a great one-two combo for us this year and our junior and sophomore starters have supported their pitching efforts with great defense and offensive support.”

With a victory Thursday, Riverside would advance to play the winner of the Chartiers-Houston and Washington opening round game.

The Class 2A WPIAL Softball Championship Game is scheduled to be held May 27/28 at Lilley Field on the campus of PennWest University (formerly Cal U) [VIEW BRACKET]

RIVERSIDE BASEBALL

The Riverside boys baseball team (10-7 Overall, 7-3 Section 1-3A) enters the playoffs on a three game winning streak and winners of seven of its last nine contests after starting the season 1-4.

The defending 3A Champion Panthers earned a #7 seed and will face #10 Shady Side Academy on Tuesday, May 12th at 4:00 PM at North Hills High School.

Top seed Avonworth (15-5 Overall) and #4 Freeport (17-1 Overall), both unbeaten in their respective sections, pose threats in the Playoffs along with one-loss Section 4 champ and #2 seed Seton LaSalle (14-2 Overall)

With a victory Tuesday, the Panthers will advance to face the winner of Seton LaSalle/South Allegheny on May 19th.

The Panthers knocked off Chartiers-Houston 7-3 on May 6th. Riverside rallied back from an early 3-0 deficit to earn the non-section victory behind a complete game one-hitter by starter Matt Santillo. Cole Vogel (2B, 3 RBIs) and Dylan Meyer (3B, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) each had two hits offensively.

The Panthers split its season series with cross town rival Ellwood City, earning a 1-0 victory on March 31st.

The Class 3A WPIAL Championship Game is scheduled to be held Wednesday, May 27th at 5:00 p.m. at EQT Park (formerly Wild Things Park) in Washington, PA. [VIEW BRACKET]