NORTHERN vs. SHALER
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4 p.m., Nittany Lion Softball Park, Penn State University
THE POLAR BEARS (23-4): Forget not being pegged to be a state contender to start the year—coaches projected Northern fifth in the preseason in what looked like a razor-thin Mid-Penn Colonial Division. And there was plenty of reason to be unsure about the Polar Bears, which rosters just four seniors in Hailey Irwin, Jessie Li, Kiera O’Brine and Ashley Miller. While the lineup has threats top to bottom, Lock Haven commit Hailey Irwin and juniors Tayler Yoder and Emily Randalls have been the top dogs, with Yoder and Randalls setting the table and Irwin—with 13 homers on the season—providing the pop.
But the most notable development has been sophomore pitcher Sammy Magee, who only started a couple of games in the regular season only to become downright unhittable in the postseason. With just four runs allowed all playoffs, the pitching, defense and high-ceiling offense is the reason Northern has surprised and is a win away from state gold.
THE TITANS (22-1): Shaler is a bit of a mirror to Northern. Like the Bears, the Titans weren’t necessarily the WPIAL team tagged preseason to get to State College. But after an unbeaten regular season, Shaler has fought its way through a third-place District 7 finish to get to the title game. And like the Bears, they’ve turned to a new pitcher late in the year, freshman Bria Bosiljevac, who has rewarded the team for the choice. Backing her up is Kent State commit Eloise Facher, who leads off for a dynamic Shaler offense, and Bethany Rodman, one of the top power hitters in Western Pennsylvania.
To top things off, Shaler’s one blemish came in the playoffs to eventual WPIAL champ Trinity. But the Titans would avenge that quickly, beating the Hillers in the second round of states, before topping 2022 and 2021 state runner-ups Armstrong to earn the date with the Polar Bears.
ROAD TO PENN STATE: Northern mercy-ruled its first two opponents in states, topping Hatboro-Horsham 13-0 and Upper Dublin 10-0, before defeating Abington Heights 4-1 on Tuesday. Shaler beat Central Mountain 2-1, Trinity 5-1 and Armstrong 8-5 to earn this berth.
PIAA HISTORY: This is Northern’s first state championship game in program history, as the Polar Bears look to etch themselves in stone in Dillsburg. This is Shaler’s sixth trip to the big dance, winning twice (2006, 2004) and losing three times (2009, 2005, 1982). This is also the third Mid-Penn opponent the Titans have faced in a title game, along with Shippensburg (1982) and Chambersburg (2004).