John Olszewski and Eric Williams claim The McCarthy for sixth tourney crown at Wyoming Valley Country Club

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Stephen Meehan: For kids’ sakes, Pennsylvania needs to promote shared parenting

The PIAA held its first state softball championships in 1975. Since then, only one Wyoming Valley Conference team &#8212; Nanticoke &#8212; has played for a championship.Nanticoke will be trying to get there for a third time today. The Trojans won the Class 2A state crowns in 2003 and 2010, but are shooting for the 3A title. Holy Redeemer, the only other WVC team still alive, is trying to get there for the first time. The Royals came oh-so-close two years ago.Nanticoke vs. Bethlehem CatholicPIAA Class 3A semifinal4:30 p.m. Blue Mountain H.S.District 11 champion Bethlehem Catholic (17-7) is seeking a return to the state title game. The Golden Eagles lost 2-1 to D1 runner-up Springfield-Delco 3-0 in the championship game last season.Becahi, which it&#8217;s often referred as, doesn&#8217;t have an impressive record. But a slow start and some injuries were to blame. Since then, the Golden Eagles have won eight of their last nine games. Elyse Cuttic returned to the lineup about midway through the season and has been the hitting star in the postseason. She and Julia Sledz had three RBI each in an 8-5 win over jersey Shore in the opening round.Becahi followed with a 1-0 victory over D1 champ Villa Maria Academy in the quarterfinals. Sophomore pitcher Alexa Panuccio allowed just three hits.D2 champ Nanticoke (20-5) escaped a close call in its opening, blowing a five-run lead and then winning 6-5 over D3 runner-up Twin Valley. The Trojans jumped all over Chichester pitcher Megan Wimmer, the state&#8217;s all-time strikeout leader, in the first inning in the quarterfinals. After that four-run outburst, they cruised to a 6-1 victory over the D1 runner-up.Leandra Ramos was strong in the circle against Chichester. Nanticoke also has Miranda Bohn, a tough lefty, in reserve.The winner plays 5:30 p.m. Friday for the 3A state championship at Nittany Lion Softball Park at Penn State. The opponent will be the winner of today&#8217;s game between D6 champion Bellwood Antis and D7 third seed Trinity.Holy Redeemer vs. St. BasilPIAA Class 2A semifinal6 p.m. today, Patriots ParkDistrict 2 champion Holy Redeemer (21-1) returns to Allentown&#8217;s Patriots Park, the scene of a heartbreaker two years ago. The Royals missed their chance at playing in the 2013 2A state championship game with a 5-4 loss in 10 innings to eventual state champion Brandywine Heights.Although corner infielder Kaya Swanek and outfielder Jen Ringsdorf are the only holdovers from the 2013 squad, Redeemer should be ready for anything. They defeated Lakeland 6-5 for the district title and then won by 3-2 scores over D4 champion Wellsboro and D3 champion Delone Catholic in states. Swanek had the game-winning hit in the seventh versus Delone Catholic.D1 champion St. Basil (15-8) had a couple nail-biters as well. The Panthers won the district championship with a 4-3 win against Christopher Dock. They then needed a walk-off single by Carly Jensen to defeat D11 champion Palmerton. St. Basil was in control from the outset in its 5-1 quarterfinal win over D3 runner-up Kutztown. Pitcher Nichole Eberhard, a four-year starter, threw a two-hitter.The winner plays 10 a.m. Friday for the 2A state championship at Nittany Lion Softball Park at Penn State. The opponent will be the winner of today&#8217;s game between D7 champion Deer Lakes and D10 champion Cambridge Springs.

Nanticoke, Holy Redeemer seek trips to PIAA softball championship game