Softball – Hornets open up District XI playoffs today hosting Liberty. PREVIEW

Who – No.4 seed Emmaus (14-7 overall) vs No.5 seed Liberty (14-7)

When – Thursday, May 25 @ 4:30 pm

Where – Williams Street Field, Emmaus

What’s on the line – Winner advances to the semifinals to face either No.1 Nazareth or No.9 Pleasant Valley

Head to Head – Teams did not meet

Coaches – Emmaus: Rich Giering (2nd year); Liberty: Sam Carrado (8th year)

Probables – Emmaus: Sr. 2B Daria Krout (.463), Jr. SS. Brianna Amey (.357), Sr. C Mason Roselli (.400), Fr. DH Abby Dear (.477), Soph. 3B Sadie Haefeli (.295), Sr. 1B Kamryn Tokar (.263), Sr. RF Taylor Hiestand (.375), Sr. LF Alexis Schoonover (.367), Jr. P. Autumn Held (3-1. 0.54 ERA)

GAME NOTES: Emmaus and Liberty meet for the first time this season with a berth in the District XI semifinals on the line … The Hornets last played on May 11 falling to Northampton 5-1 in the EPC quarterfinals … Emmaus has lost its last two games and three of its last five. Prior to that, the Hornets had won nine straight … A year ago in districts, Emmaus defeated Nazareth 5-1 in the opening round before falling to Northampton 3-1 in the semis … Emmaus’ last district championship came back in 2007