Plenty of postseason history exists between local rivals Belle Vernon, Mt. Pleasant
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Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | 8:33 PM
Since Bailey Parshall became the starting pitcher at Belle Vernon in 2015, the Leopards have won three WPIAL softball titles.
The only year they didn't win was in 2016 when they played an ineligible player in three section games and were forced to forfeit those games.
The forfeitures changed Belle Vernon's record from 9-3 to 6-6, and it missed the playoffs.
Despite all the postseason success, the one thing missing from Belle Vernon's resume during the past four seasons is a PIAA title. The Leopards watched rivals Yough (2016) and Mt. Pleasant (2017) capture state championships the past two seasons.
It was Mt. Pleasant that ended Belle Vernon's title hopes in 2017. The Vikings, who lost to Belle Vernon in the WPIAL semifinals 1-0 in 2017, won a PIAA quarterfinal-round game 5-4.
Belle Vernon defeated Mt. Pleasant, 1-0, in this year's semifinals.
The two will square off at 1 p.m. Thursday in a PIAA Class 4A quarterfinal at Latrobe.
Will history repeat itself?
Parshall and Belle Vernon coach Tom Rodriguez hope not, but Mt. Pleasant coach Lauren Armanious has a different opinion.
“I have all the confidence in the world that we can do it,” Armanious said. “I didn't feel we played our best game (in the WPIAL semifinals), and the home plate umpire had a wide zone for both pitchers and Bailey took advantage of it.
“We had a bad game, and they had a good game. We know we're a good team; we just have to show up and make our own luck.”
Mt. Pleasant (18-1) defeated Yough, 3-0, in the WPIAL consolation game to qualify for the PIAA tournament and then needed 11 innings to edge District 10 champion Slippery Rock, 4-2, on Monday.
“Slippery Rock was a good team, and we were a little off again,” Armanious said. “I trust that the girls will show up and play well.”
Rodriguez said Parshall has been a different pitcher in the playoffs.
She blanked Uniontown, Ambridge and Mt. Pleasant before surviving a scare against Elizabeth Forward when the Leopards rallied for a 5-4 victory.
The Penn State recruit one-hit Uniontown and struck out 15, and then no-hit Ambridge (16 strikeouts) and Mt. Pleasant (18 strikeouts).
“Bailey is really focused,” Rodriguez said. “She wants it. She has her heart set on playing in the PIAA championship.
“Mt. Pleasant is very good. It's going to come down to who gets the break in the game and capitalizes on it.”
Rodriguez said when he looks at Mt. Pleasant's lineup there are not many players to pitch around.
“They have five girls that have .500 batting averages,” Rodriguez said. “We'll need another super game from Bailey.”
Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.
Tags: Belle Vernon, Mt. Pleasant
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