The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Area 2023 Baseball and Softball state quarterfinal preview

BASEBALL

CLASS-6A

Central Bucks West vs. Father Judge >> District 1 champion Central Bucks West faces District 12 champion Father Judge at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth in the quarterfinals Thursday at 4 p.m.

The Bucks are coming off back-to-back historic wins at Villanova Ballpark. Last Thursday Sam Greer took a no-hitter into the sixth inning to lead the program to its first District 1 championship win. In the first round of states, Julio Ermigiotti threw a perfect game in the program’s first state playoff appearance.

The Crusaders beat Plymouth Whitemarsh in the first round behind a 4-for-4 day at the plate from Nick Shiffler. He hit two home runs and a double. Philadelphia Catholic League Pitcher of the Year David Rodriguez will likely get the ball on the mound against CB West.

The winner will face the winner of (1-3) North Penn and (11-1) Liberty in the semifinals Monday.

For live updates, follow Andrew Robinson on Twitter @ADRobinson3

North Penn vs. Liberty >> District 1 third-place finisher North Penn faces District 11 champion Liberty at Bears Stadium in Boyertown in the quarterfinals Thursday at 4 p.m.

The Knights made quick work of Hazelton in the first round, winning 10-0 in five innings. James Mangine hit a first-inning grand slam while Trevor Lugara pitched a shutout.

Liberty needed extra innings to beat Avon Grove, 6-5, in the first round.

The winner will face the winner of (1-1) Central Bucks West and (12-1) Father Judge in the semifinals Monday.

CLASS-4A

Archbishop Wood vs. Montoursville >> District 12 champion Archbishop Wood faces District 4 runner-up Montoursville at Wenger Field in Fredericksburg in the quarterfinals Thursday at noon.

The Vikings won their opener over Pope John Paul II, 15-5 in five innings. Brian Klumpp, Patrick Gozdan and Joey Gale each had key hits during a nine-run first inning that erased a two-run deficit.

Montoursville advanced past Blue Mountain, 7-5.

The winner will face the winner of (2-1) Dallas and (3-2) Hanover in the semifinals Monday.

CLASS-1A

Dock Mennonite Academy vs. Northeast Bradford >> District 1 champion Dock Mennonite Academy will face District 4 champion Northeast Bradford at Central Columbia High School in the quarterfinals Thursday at 4 p.m.

The Pioneers won their opener, 7-2, over Marian Catholic. They scored five runs in the bottom of the second inning and added two more in the fourth for a 7-0 lead.

Northeast Bradford advanced past Susquehanna Community, 5-3.

The winner will face the winner of (3-1) Greenwood and (9-2) DuBois CC in the semifinals Monday.

For live updates, follow Kev Hunter on Twitter @khunter10

SOFTBALL

CLASS 6-A

North Penn vs. Hazelton Area >> District 1 champion North Penn faces District 2 champion Hazelton Area at Patriots Park in Allentown in the quarterfinals Thursday at 1 p.m.

After throwing a perfect game in the District 1 championship, Knights ace pitcher Julia Shearer threw a one-hitter in a 3-1 win over Governor Mifflin in the first round of states. She struck out 18 batters to keep North Penn undefeated after 25 games.

Hazelton edged Plymouth Whitemarsh, 5-4, in the first round.

The winner will face the winner of (3-3) Chambersburg and (11-1) Nazareth in the semifinals Monday.

For live updates, follow Mike Cabrey on Twitter @mpcabrey

CLASS-5A

Upper Dublin vs. Northern York >> District 1 fourth-place finisher Upper Dublin faces District 3 champion Northern York at Exeter Township High School in the quarterfinals Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

The Cardinals won a state playoff game for the first time in program history in the first round, beating Cardinal O’Hara, 13-1. Kaelin Penna’s three-run double highlighted a six-run second inning while pitcher Kyla Garrison threw a one-hitter.

Northern York handled Hatboro-Horsham, 13-0 in five innings, in the first round.

The winner will face the winner of (1-1) Oxford and (2-1) Abington Heights in the semifinals Monday.

For live updates, follow Ed Morlock on Twitter @emor09

CLASS-4A

Archbishop Wood vs. Montour >> District 1 third-place finisher Archbishop Wood faces District 7 runner-up Montour at Messiah University in the quarterfinals Thursday at 1 p.m.

The Vikings beat Lampeter-Strasburg, 7-4, in the first round. They scored five runs in the third inning, which was enough behind pitcher Dakota Fanelli’s four-hitter. She struck out six batters.

Montour beat Bellefonte, 5-2, in the first round.

The winner will face the winner of (7-3) Elizabeth Forward and (7-1) Belle Vernon in the semifinals Monday.