Who: No.2 seed Emmaus (12-4 EPC, 14-6 overall) vs No. 7 seed Easton (11-5, 12-7)
What: Eastern Pennsylvania Conference quarterfinals
When/Where: Thursday 4 p.m., Kiwanis Field
What’s on the line: Winner advances to Monday’s semifinals at 5 pm at Pates Park vs winner of No. 3 Northampton/No.6 Nazareth
Season series: Teams didn’t meet. Last played in 2018 – Easton won 3-2
Coverage: Twitter (@Emmaussports.com)
Coaches: Emmaus – Brittany D’Agostino (2nd year); Easton – Ed McIntyre (36th year)
Emmaus’ probable starters: Jr. LF Tatum Kresley (.658 avg., 50 hits, 36 runs), Fresh. RF Peyton Sisonick (.233), Soph. SS Marah Sisonick (.318, 21 hits), Sr. C Abby Bartels (.474, 27 hits, 20 RBI, 3 RBI), Sr. P Hannah Palinkas (.436, 24 hits, 19 RBI; 10-4, 1.09 ERA), Sr. 1B Jordyn Bruckler (.362, 17 hits), Fresh. 2B Abby Hark/Fr. DP Sarah Lenhart (.333), Sr. CF Lily Trexler (.293, 17 hits, 11 RBI)
Easton key players: Sr. SS Courtney Gundhauser (.462, 30 hits, 31 RBI), Sr. C Gillian Walsh (.483, 28 hits, 28 RBI), Jr. 1B Katrina Webb (.359, 23 hits, 22 RBI), Jr. OF Kelsey Novick (.418, 23 hits, 17 RBI), Sr. 2B Zariah Alvin (.418, 28 hits, 34 runs), Jr. P Abbey Jackson (.281, 18 hits, 18 RBI/5-5, 3.79 ERA), Jr. P Tess Ruschman (4-3, 2.50 ERA)
Notes: Hornets are back in the EPC playoffs for the first time since 2017 when they reached the finals before losing to rival Parkland …. Back in 2014, Emmaus also finished runner-up to Parkland after falling 2-1 in the finals in a controversial ending at home plate … The Hornets last won the league championship back in 2001 and 2000 ….Emmaus has won four straight and 10 of its last 13 games …..Easton finished the season at just 12-8 and dropped three of its last four games, including a pair of losses to a Liberty team that failed to reach the playoffs.