Postseason forecast: A preview of the 2022 WPIAL baseball playoffs
The WPIAL baseball postseason has arrived. After another eventful spring regular season, 83 teams through District 7's six classifications are set to compete for a WPIAL crown.
The baseball championships once again will be held at Washington Wildthings Park in Washington from May 31 to June 2.
Here is a breakdown of this year's WPIAL baseball playoffs:
CLASS 6A
Defending Champion: No. 1 North Allegheny
The Tigers came just short of capturing their first state title since 2000 last spring, in a run at included a WPIAL Class 6A title. North Allegheny is missing numerous pieces from last year's team but still has more than enough to go all the way in 2022.
Favorite: No. 2 North Allegheny
Any team that has Cole Young has a chance. The Tigers' 6-foot-1 shortstop is one of the top high school players in the country, projected by many outlets to go in the first round of this year's MLB Draft. Young isn't the only dangerous bat in North Allegheny's lineup. Juniors Andrew Hard and Spencer Barnett are just a few others who make the Tigers the team to beat again.
Sleeper: No. 1 Mt. Lebanon
After a rough start to the season, the Section 2-6A champions may figured things out, entering the playoffs having won six of their past seven. The Blue Devils' biggest strength is pitching depth, boasting a staff with four different arms that have logged 18 or more innings this spring.
Beaver Valley teams: None
First-round matchups (Wednesday)
No. 8 Seneca Valley vs. No. 9 Hempfield at Plum High School, 5 p.m.
First-round byes: No. 1 Mt. Lebanon, No. 2 North Allegheny, No. 3 Pine-Richland, No. 4 Norwin, No. 5 Central Catholic, No. 6 Butler, No. 7 Upper St. Clair
CLASS 5A
Defending Champion: No. 10 Franklin Regional
Coming off its first WPIAL title in 20 years, Franklin Regional stumbled out of the gates this spring with a 4-5 start. Since then, the Panthers have caught fire, ending the season with just one loss in their final seven games.
Favorite: No. 2 Bethel Park
Peters Township might have a better record but any team that returns seven starters the year after winning a state title will always be the one with the biggest target. Evan Holewinsk will aim to lead the way for the Black Hawks again from the mound. The Kent State commit enters the postseason with a perfect 6-0 record and a 1.09 ERA.
Sleeper: No. 3 West Allegheny
Despite losing numerous high-profile stars, the Indians have found a way to remain a threat in Class 5A. A true team effort helped Bryan Cornell's team take home a Section 3-5A title this spring. Colin Marinpetro and Nathan Nolan are a pair of players who opponents should look out for.
Beaver Valley teams: No. 3 West Allegheny
First-round matchups (Tuesday)
No. 1 Peters Township vs. No. 16 Connellsville / No. 17 McKeesport at Washington & Jefferson College, 7 p.m.
No. 2 Bethel Park vs. No. 15 Gateway at Burkett Park, 2 p.m.
No. 3 West Allegheny vs. No. 14 Fox Chapel at Burkett Park, 4:30 p.m.
No. 4 Mars vs. No. 13 Chartiers Valley at North Allegheny High School, 4 p.m.
No. 5 Greater Latrobe vs. No. 12 Thomas Jefferson at Hempfield High School, 4:30 p.m.
No. 6 Shaler vs. No. 11 Plum at North Allegheny High School, 7 p.m.
No. 7 South Fayette vs. No. 10 Franklin Regional at Burkett Park, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Penn-Trafford vs. No. 9 Hampton at West Mifflin High School, 4:30 p.m.
*No. 16 Connellsville vs. No. 17 McKeesport at Greater Latrobe High School, Monday at 6:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
Defending Champion: New Castle
It's not every year you see a defending state champion finish last in its section, but that was the story for the Red Hurricanes this spring. Numerous key players graduated and a few of the ones who returned suffered injuries, which resulted in New Castle going just 3-10 in 2022.
Favorite: No. 1 Montour
When Montour is playing at its best, an argument can be made that the Spartans are the best team in any classification of the WPIAL. After losing in the WPIAL final last season, Montour has come back with revenge on its mind aiming to win its first District 7 crown since 1967. If the Spartans get the job done, expect ace pitcher Dylan Mathiesen to be a big reason why.
Sleeper: No. 5 Beaver Area
They're loud, they're confident and they're ready to cause some havoc in the postseason. From their deep lineup to a strong pitching staff, the Bobcats have everything a team needs to make a deep run. This year's senior class were freshman when Beaver captured a WPIAL title in 2019. We'll see if they're able to get hot and do it once again.
Beaver Valley teams:: No. 5 Beaver Area, No. 9 Quaker Valley, No. 10 Blackhawk
First-round matchups (Wednesday)
No. 5 Beaver Area vs. No. 12 Elizabeth Forward at Fox Chapel High School, 4 p.m.
No. 6 Knoch vs. No. 11 Uniontown at Norwin High School, 4 p.m.
No. 7 Indiana vs. No. 10 Blackhawk at Seneca Valley High School, 4 p.m.
No. 8 Highlands vs. No. 9 Quaker Valley at Plum High School, 7:30 p.m.
First-round byes: No. 1 Montour, No. 2 West Mifflin, No. 3 North Catholic, No. 4 Laurel Highlands
CLASS 3A
Defending Champion: No. 1 Hopewell
Last spring the Vikings avenged their heartbreak from 2019, capturing their fourth WPIAL title in program history in dramatic fashion. The main contributor from that squad who graduated was Roman Gill, the Times' 2021 Player of the Year. Most of the other notable names are back in action this postseason which puts Hopewell in a great spot.
Favorite: No. 1 Hopewell
While the competition is stiff, Hopewell is still the favorite to win in Class 3A. The Vikings' lineup is loaded, featuring seven players with a batting average over .325. Senior Anthony LaSalla and junior Lucas Arington form a lethal one-two punch on the mound that should have no problem getting Morgan Singletary's team back to Washington. Their final scores haven't been as lopsided as some expected this year, but the Vikings simply have too much talent to ignore.
Sleeper: No. 4 Mohawk
Only one team in Class 3A has defeated Hopewell so far this season and its the Warriors. Dominant pitching is a must in the postseason and Mohawk has that with senior Lucas Cummings. In eight starts, the Warriors' ace has gone 3-1 with an 0.36 ERA.
Beaver Valley teams: No. 1 Hopewell, No. 7 New Brighton, No. 11 Ellwood City
First-round matchups (Tuesday)
No. 1 Hopewell vs. No. 16 South Allegheny at Washington & Jefferson College, 2 p.m.
No. 2 South Park vs. No. 15 Waynesburg Central at West Mifflin High School, 2 p.m.
No. 3 Avonworth vs. No. 14 Southmoreland at Highlands High School, 7 p.m.
No. 4 Mohawk vs. No. 13 Keystone Oaks at Seneca Valley High School, 7 p.m.
No. 5 Yough vs. No. 12 Mt. Pleasant at Hempfield High School, 2 p.m.
No. 6 East Allegheny vs. No. 11 Ellwood City at Highlands High School, 2 p.m.
No. 7 New Brighton vs. No. 10 Derry at Highlands High School, 4:30 p.m.
No. 8 Deer Lakes vs. No. 9 McGuffey at Peterswood Park, 4:30 p.m.
CLASS 2A
Defending Champion: No. 3 Shenango
The Wildcats took home their first WPIAL title in program history in 2021, and came up just shy of a state championship. This year, the Wildcats are again a threat to win it all, entering the postseason on a nine-game winining streak.
Favorite: No. 1 Serra Catholic
The Eagles are one of two teams in the WPIAL to carry a perfect record into the postseason. Just one win in the WPIAL playoffs would give Serra Catholic six straight seasons with 20 or more wins. However, led by Zach Karp and Matt Bisceglia, the Eagles hope to achieve far more.
Sleeper: No. 5 Riverside
From a dangerous lineup to their deep pitching staff, there's certainly a lot to like about this year's Panthers team. Riverside earned a share of the Section 2-2A title despite getting swept by Shenango last week. While it's less than ideal to enter the playoffs having lost four of your past five, Dan Oliastro ― the winningest coach in WPIAL history ― knows a thing or two about finding a way to come out on top when it counts.
Beaver Valley teams: No. 5 Riverside
First-round matchups (Tuesday)
No. 1 Serra Catholic vs. No. 16 Bethlehem-Center at Greater Latrobe High School, 4 p.m.
No. 2 Seton LaSalle vs. No. 15 Northgate at Shaler High School, 4:30 p.m.
No. 3 Shenango vs. No. 14 Fort Cherry at Chippewa Park, 5:30 p.m.
No. 4 Carmichaels vs. No. 13 Apollo-Ridge at Greater Latrobe High School, 6:30 p.m.
No. 5 Riverside vs. No. 12 Chartiers-Houston at Plum High School, 6:30 p.m.
No. 6 Burgettstown vs. No. 11 California at Washington & Jefferson College, 4:30 p.m.
No. 7 Neshannock vs. No. 10 Bentworth at Chippewa Park, 3 p.m.
No. 8 Laurel vs. No. 9 Shady Side Academy at North Allegheny High School, 1 p.m.
CLASS 1A
Defending Champion: No. 2 Union
There aren't many better ways to secure the first WPIAL title in program history than with a no-hitter, but that's what the Scotties did last year. Union said goodbye to Joe Vitale ― the pitcher who threw the legendary gem ― but returned seven starters from last year's championship team. They might not be the favorite this spring, but every team in Class 1A knows not to look past the defending champs.
Favorite: No. 1 Eden Christian
How does one become a bigger favorite than a defending champion that won a section title? Simple ― just enter the postseason with a perfect record. Eden Christian has run the table this spring, beating numerous notable foes, including Rochester, Sewickley Academy, OLSH and Riverview. The Warriors came just shy of a state title last year. They'll look to capture both a WPIAL and PIAA championship this spring.
Sleeper: No. 3 Rochester
Will 2022 be the season the Rams put the streak to bed? In each of its past eight trips to the postseason, Rochester has fallen in its first contest. This year's group has the ability to not only earn one win but many in the WPIAL playoffs. Notable talents like Ethan Blair, Sal Laure, J.D. Azulay and Parker Lyons make Brian Verrico's group one every club should worry about.
Beaver Valley teams: No. 3 Rochester, No. 5 OLSH, No. 6 Sewickley Academy, No. 13 Western Beaver
First-round matchups (Tuesday)
No. 4 West Greene vs. No. 13 Western Beaver at Peterswood Park, 7 p.m.
No. 5 OLSH vs. No. 12 Jefferson-Morgan at Peterswood Park, 2 p.m.
No. 6 Sewickley Academy vs. No. 11 Avella at Hardy Field, 4 p.m.
No. 7 Bishop Canevin vs. No. 10 Riverview at Shaler High School, 2 p.m.
No. 8 Greensburg Central Catholic vs. No. 9 Leechburg at Plum High School, 4 p.m.
First-round byes: No. 1 Eden Christian, No. 2 Union, No. 3 Rochester
Contact Noah Hiles at nhiles@gannett.com. Follow him on twitter @_NoahHiles.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: A preview of the 2022 WPIAL baseball playoffs
