Deer Lakes softball team heads to PIAA playoffs for first time
Deer Lakes is not only in the PIAA playoffs for the first time in program history, they enter as the WPIAL Class AA champion.
Last year the Lancers were denied a shot at the PIAA playoffs after losing in the WPIAL consolation game. This year they kicked the door down, blanking Neshannock 2-0 in the semifinals to ensure a historic PIAA berth and then defeating Greensburg Central Catholic 3-2 to achieve another program first, a WPIAL championship.
As far as a WPIAL hangover dragging into the PIAA playoffs, coach Craig Taliani does not seem to be worried.
“You hear about that,” Taliani said of a potential title hangover. “But looking at the girls (Sunday) night, I don’t think so. They were working their tails off at practice and I think they are going to come out with their best game. You can’t guarantee anything but I would be surprised if they didn’t. They are excited.”
Deer Lakes (19-1) only loss this season came back on May 1, a 1-0 loss at Burrell. Deer Lakes will play its first ever PIAA playoff game on Monday at 2 p.m. at North Allegheny High School against District 10 runner up Wilmington.
“They are a good team,” Taliani said of Wilmington. “They have been there before. They knocked off Valley a few years ago. They have experience and I know they have a pretty good team this year. I think they were disappointed with how they played in their championship game and I think they have something to prove. We are very cautious.”
Last year the Lancers were denied a shot at the PIAA playoffs after losing in the WPIAL consolation game. This year they kicked the door down, blanking Neshannock 2-0 in the semifinals to ensure a historic PIAA berth and then defeating Greensburg Central Catholic 3-2 to achieve another program first, a WPIAL championship.
As far as a WPIAL hangover dragging into the PIAA playoffs, coach Craig Taliani does not seem to be worried.
“You hear about that,” Taliani said of a potential title hangover. “But looking at the girls (Sunday) night, I don’t think so. They were working their tails off at practice and I think they are going to come out with their best game. You can’t guarantee anything but I would be surprised if they didn’t. They are excited.”
Deer Lakes (19-1) only loss this season came back on May 1, a 1-0 loss at Burrell. Deer Lakes will play its first ever PIAA playoff game on Monday at 2 p.m. at North Allegheny High School against District 10 runner up Wilmington.
“They are a good team,” Taliani said of Wilmington. “They have been there before. They knocked off Valley a few years ago. They have experience and I know they have a pretty good team this year. I think they were disappointed with how they played in their championship game and I think they have something to prove. We are very cautious.”
softball