PIAA softball playoffs 2026: Breaking down North Catholic’s Round 1 matchup against Harbor Creek

May 31, 2026 Last Updated: May 31, 2026 08:33 AM Sports

North Catholic’s Kennedy Brown has led the team on an unprecedented run to the state playoffs. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

The PIAA tournaments start this week, and one of the big surprises out of the WPIAL, North Catholic (15-6), is the last Butler County team still dancing

Here’s what to know about the Trojanettes’ first-round matchup Monday:

PIAA softball playoffs tickets, livestream

Livestream: Some games will be livestreamed on the NFHS Network ($13.99 for a monthly subscription) or broadcast by local or regional media outlets. The state championship will be broadcast and livestreamed on PCN. A digital subscription to PCN costs $14.99 for one month.

Tickets: According to the PIAA, tickets can be purchased for $9 in advance on hometownticketing.com and for $10 at the door

Class 4A: 7-3 North Catholic at 10-1 Harbor Creek

Site/time: Harbor Creek Junior High, 4 p.m. Monday

Up next: Winner of 6-1 Bellefonte vs. 7-1 Elizabeth Forward

Trojanettes’ key player: Kennedy Brown has really helped carry this Trojanettes team — making just its third appearance in the state tournament — on its Cinderella run. The junior is hitting .487 with 24 RBIs and 27 runs scored. She’s one of two regular pitchers, too, at 8-2 with 129 strikeouts and a 3.46 ERA in 77 innings pitched. During the WPIAL tournament, she batted 12-for-19 with five runs, eight RBIs and a grand slam and has thrown 16 innings with 14 Ks.

Huskies’ key player: There are some sluggers in this lineup, led by junior Brooklyn Cipalla, who is hitting an impressive .611 with 38 runs scored, 21 RBIs and 12 extra-base hits. Only senior Kayla Bresse has more RBIs (32) and extra-base hits (17). Cipalla will also pressure the defense when she’s on base. She’s a perfect 22 for 22 on stolen base attempts this season.

North Catholic wins if ... the pitching and defense can buckle down. The Trojanettes are winning (and losing) playoff games in shootout fashion, giving up five, 10, 13 and three runs during this stretch while committing eight errors. In states, better pitching and flawless defense can carry a game, and North will have to step up in those facets another notch or two to give its potent offense a chance.