The softball programs from Shaler and Hempfield will each make a sixth appearance in the WPIAL finals today, despite the fact that neither was expected to be a participant.

Shaler was seeded No. 6 in the 12-team Class AAAA bracket after placing second in Section 3. Hempfield was seeded No. 9 after finishing third in Section 1.

"We've been the underdog in all three playoff games and are the underdog again in the title game," Hempfield coach Bob Kalp said. "Nobody expected us to get here, so we've got nothing to lose."

Hempfield opened the playoffs with a 2-0 win against No. 8 seed Peters Township, upset top-seeded North Allegheny in the quarterfinals and advanced to the title game with a 13-4 win against Connellsville, a team that beat the Spartans twice in the regular season.

"I was really surprised with the way the game went," Kalp said of the Connellsville win. "I was expecting another close game with Connellsville. The difference is that my girls were on a mission. You could see that from the first pitch. They were determined to win."

Shaler opened the playoffs with a 10-2 win against Mc Keesport, then knocked off No. 3 Latrobe , 5-3, in the quarterfinals. That set up a semifinal rematch with Mt. Lebanon, a team Shaler beat in its season opener.

"It was one heck of a game," Shaler coach Skip Palmer said after the Titans recorded a second consecutive 1-0 victory against Mt. Lebanon. "It was a great win for us. But I did feel bad for Mt. Lebanon. You hate to lose that way."

Hempfield scored the only run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Spartans pitcher Abby Nichter led off with a single and was replaced by courtesy runner Sarah Giebel.

"One thing I've learned over the years is that you don't let your pitcher run the bases," Palmer said. "I always use Sarah as a courtesy runner. She's got blazing speed."

Marissa Lisante came to the plate with hopes of moving Giebel to second with a bunt. The pitch from Mt. Lebanon pitcher Geena Badolato bounced in the dirt and skipped away from Blue Devils catcher Julz Tindall. Giebel immediately took off for second base.

"Sarah started running, then stopped for a split second, then continued on to second base," Palmer said. "The throw [from Tindall] bounced in front of second base and eventually got by the centerfielder."

Giebel scored the winning run, as Shaler earned its sixth WPIAL title berth, the fourth in five years. The Titans dropped a 1-0 decision to Latrobe in last year's title game.

"I'm a little surprised that we made it this far when you consider how young this team is," Palmer said. "We have five juniors, one sophomore, and three freshmen in our starting lineup. I knew we could have a good season if the girls matured quickly, but didn't know how they would handle playoff competition."

Hempfield (14-4) may be considered the underdog, but the Spartans defeated Shaler (13-4), 3-1, in an exhibition game played March 24.

"You can throw that game out the window," Kalp said. "It was our first game and Shaler's second game. Both teams have changed since then. I expect it to be another pitchers duel that could go into extra innings."

Both coaches agreed that Shaler has the more potent offensive attack.

"No doubt Shaler has the better hitting team," Kalp said. "We are a small-ball team. We like to run and bunt and make things happen. We depend on our pitching and defense and find a way to win."

Hempfield used two pitchers in the first game against Shaler: seniors T'Nia Falbo and Alyssa Grossman. Falbo has an 11-3 record and a 1.48 earned-run average while striking out 101 batters.

"We used both against Shaler and could use both again," Kalp said.

"T'Nia and Alyssa are complete polar opposites. T'Nia is a hard thrower, while Alyssa is a soft thrower."

Hempfield's top hitters are freshman shortstop Alyssa Bates (.500), senior second baseman Amanda Rupert (.415), senior first baseman Melissa Lupinacci (.400), junior outfielder Jordan Sherrow (.392) and Falbo (.367).

Shaler counters with Nichter, who has a 0.88 ERA and a 13-4 record with 101 strikeouts and 23 walks. The Titans' top hitters are junior shortstop Chelsea Siar (.414), freshman catcher Lauren Hackett (.404) and freshman second baseman Jessie Vannucci (.350).

n What: WPIAL Class AAAA final.

n When: 7 p.m. today.

n Where: California University of Pennsylvania.

n The skinny: Neither team was one of the top four seeds when the playoffs began.

n Tickets: $7 for adults, $4 for students.