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STATE SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: VALLEY VIEW VS. ST. JOHN PAUL II

This should be a good game on Monday, but the reality is simple: Valley View enters this matchup playing championship-level softball.

The Cougars are on a five-game playoff scoreless streak. They have not allowed a single run this postseason, and leading the way has been Clemson commit Abbi Call, who has been absolutely on fire in the circle.

Call is pitching lights out right now. Hopefully, she continues this type of dominance into the state championship game if Valley View gets there — and then carries it down to the Clemson Tigers next year, since I’m a Clemson fan myself.

Pope John Paul II deserves respect. They upset Blue Mountain last week, 2-1, and there has been a lot of talk about how good Blue Mountain was. But that is the beauty of softball. On any given day, in any game, anyone can win. You still have to show up, execute, and play clean softball.

One or two errors in a playoff game can cost a team its season. Those mistakes can be the reason a team scores one, two, or three runs — and when there are quality pitchers in the circle for both teams, that can be enough to win.

That is what makes Valley View so dangerous right now. The Cougars’ defense has committed only two errors in five playoff games. That kind of clean defense behind an elite pitcher is a winning formula.

As of right now, I believe Abbi Call is one of the best pitchers in the state during this playoff run. Valley View has allowed zero runs in the postseason, Call has recorded 47 strikeouts in the playoffs, and she and her defense have gone 51 straight scoreless innings since the last time they allowed a run.

That is not just impressive.

That is championship-level softball.

One game away.

That’s all that separates the Valley View Lady Cougars from a return trip to the PIAA Class 4A State Championship game.

Standing in their way is a dangerous St. John Paul II squad that comes into the semifinal with a 14-9 record and one of the highest-scoring offenses Valley View has faced all season.

On paper, the numbers tell a fascinating story.

TEAM COMPARISON

Valley View (22-3)

• Batting Average: .357
• On-Base Percentage: .435
• Slugging Percentage: .539
• Fielding Percentage: .961
• Runs Scored: 205
• Runs Allowed: 61

St. John Paul II (14-9)

• Batting Average: .334
• On-Base Percentage: .436
• Slugging Percentage: .455
• Fielding Percentage: .889
• Runs Scored: 210
• Runs Allowed: 112

The Cougars hold advantages in batting average, power hitting, defense, overall record, and run prevention. The Golden Panthers, however, have scored five more runs on the season and average an impressive 9.1 runs per game.

THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE: DEFENSE

Valley View’s .961 fielding percentage compared to St. John Paul II’s .889 may be one of the most important numbers in this matchup.

In a state semifinal, extra outs often become extra runs.

The Cougars have been one of the cleanest defensive teams in Pennsylvania all season, while St. John Paul II has been more vulnerable to defensive mistakes.

THE STAR POWER

When Valley View needs a big hit, they turn to Clemson commit Abbi Call.

The senior is having a remarkable season:

• .621 batting average
• 36 hits in 58 at-bats
• 25 runs scored
• 16-2 pitching record
• 1.81 ERA

Few players in Pennsylvania impact a game both at the plate and in the circle the way Call does.

She is supported by a deep lineup that includes:

• Zoie Krupovich (.418)
• Ava Palickar (.360)
• Ella Swingle (.359)
• Nevaeh Evans (.343)
• Maggie Hallett (.342)
• Cora Castellani (.329)

This lineup doesn’t rely on one player. Multiple Cougars are capable of producing big innings.

ST. JOHN PAUL II’S OFFENSIVE THREAT

The Golden Panthers have some dangerous hitters of their own.

Freshman Harper Haddle leads the team with a .523 batting average and 34 hits.

Other key contributors include:

• Alyssa  Satalin (.362)
• Alexis Henderson (.351)
• Molly McCarthy (.333)

This is a young lineup that has proven it can score runs in bunches.

IN THE CIRCLE

Valley View enters with a clear edge.

Abbi Call

• 16-2 record
• 1.81 ERA

St. John Paul II’s pitching staff is led by:

• Gianna Forte (7-6, 2.36 ERA)
• Lexi DiBricida (5-2, 3.97 ERA)

Both have had solid seasons, but neither has matched the dominance Call has displayed throughout the playoffs.

WHEN THE RUNS COME

St. John Paul II does most of its damage early, averaging:

• 1.1 runs in the 1st inning
• 2.1 runs in the 2nd inning
• 2.2 runs in the 3rd inning

Valley View also starts fast:

• 2.0 runs in the 1st inning
• 2.2 runs in the 2nd inning

Whichever team controls the first three innings could control the game.

MY TAKE

St. John Paul II is capable of scoring runs and has enough offensive talent to make things interesting. However, Valley View has the more complete team. Saint John Paul has not seen a defense or pitcher like Abbi Call yet.

If St. John Paul II cannot score early within the first three innings, I believe Valley View will gradually pull away. The Cougars’ combination of pitching, defense, and timely hitting has been overwhelming opponents throughout this playoff run.

The Cougars have the better record, stronger defense, more power, and arguably the best player on the field in Abbi Call.

Upsets happen in softball every year, but upsets do not determine who shows up in the next game. Momentum, confidence, execution, and pitching do.

Right now, Valley View is playing its best softball of the season.

PREDICTION

Valley View 3, St. John Paul II 0

The Lady Cougars continue their remarkable scoreless streak. Abbi Call delivers another dominant performance in the circle, Valley View capitalizes on a few early scoring opportunities, and the Cougars punch their ticket to the PIAA Class 4A State Championship Game.