Softball: North WPIAL playoffs preview

Softball powers Shaler and North Allegheny are on opposite sides of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoff brackets, meaning a possible rubber match could be in store at the WPIAL final for the section rivals who split their-regular season meetings.

Shaler is the Post-Gazette's top-ranked team and the No. 1 overall seed in the field. North Allegheny, the runner-up in the section, is ranked No. 3 by the Post-Gazette but it drew a No. 7 overall seed from the WPIAL.

Shaler has a first-round bye while North Allegheny must face No. 10 seed Baldwin in the first round. Seneca Valley is the third team in the field from Section 3-AAAA. The Raiders reached the WPIAL final last year. Seeded 12th, Seneca Valley will play No. 6 Franklin Regional in the first round.

In Class AAA Mars is a potential darkhorse as the No. 5 seed. The Planets are making their first playoff appearance since 2006. They draw No. 12 West Allegheny in the first round.

Mars' section rival Knoch drew the No. 13 seed and it has a difficult first-round matchup with No. 4 seed Greensburg Salem who is ranked No. 2 by the Post-Gazette.

Fresh off its first ever outright softball section title, Deer Lakes is the No. 4 seed in the WPIAL Class AA playoff field. The Lancers will play No. 13 Southmoreland in the first round.

The Class A playoff discussion is dominated by the top two seeds, Chartiers-Houston and Sto-Rox but you can never count out a Vincentian team. The Royals are seeded fifth and will play No. 12 Rochester in the first round.

A year after missing the playoffs Sewickley Academy is back in the postseason. The Panthers are seeded No. 11 and will face No. 6 Shenango, a WPIAL semifinalist from a year ago.