ORWIGSBURG — Pine Grove got all the run production it would need Friday in its first at-bat. Callee Leffler crushed a leadoff home run to right-center field and her Cardinals shut out Northern Lehigh, 10-0, to advance to the District XI Class 3A championship game next week.
The Cards would six more runs in the second inning to put the Bulldogs away.
Leffler went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in a pair of runs on the day. Hannah Aungst and Madison Shiffer also had two hits apiece to pace the Pine Grove Area offense.
The bottom of the Cards batting order also contributed mightily on Friday.
In that six-run second inning, Tailyn Bohr got things going when she reached on an error at first base on her bunt. Starting pitcher Chelcy Clark followed up with a walk before Lily Flynn drove in Bohr with a double to left.
Meadow Umbenhauer drove in Bohr and Flynn with a double of her own. After Leffler drew an intentional walk, Aungst brought her and Umbenhauer home on another double. Shiffer then brought in Aungst with a single.
That was more than enough run support for the sophomore Clark, who scattered four hits for the six-inning, complete game shutout. Clark struck out five and walked one for the win.
Marian Routs Shenandoah Valley
ORWIGSBURG — Marian Catholic quickly erased a three-run, first-inning deficit against Shenandoah Valley Friday en route to a 13-3 win in 5 innings to advance to the Class 1A softball championship.
Zoe Katona had three hits, scored two runs and drove in another to lead the Fillies by the Lady Devils. Gracie Sendatch and Danica Karlick added two hits apiece for Marian.
The Fillies scored seven runs in the bottom of the first after Shenandoah Valley plated three in the top half of the inning.
Katrina McNulty had a two-run single to drive in Aubrie Monaghan and Morgan Labosky for the Devils to get things going early. McNulty came home on a Kaye Lynn Sheehan single later in the first.
But it was all Fillies from then on Friday afternoon.
In that explosive first inning for Marian Catholic, 11 batters went to the plate.
Sendatch scored on a wild pitch after tripling to get the offense in gear. She went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two driven in.
Hailey Treskolasky and DeAnna Pugh also drove in a pair of runs for the Fillies.
Sophomore Emily Upanavage earned the win for Marian Catholic. She allowed three runs on four hits over 4.1 innings of work. She walked seven Shenandoah batters and left the game in the fifth with the bases loaded and one out. Kayla Birrer provided relief, striking out two to dash any thought of a Devils comeback in the fifth.
District XI Friday Recap
Friday’s schedule was packed on account of rain postponing playoff action much of this week.
In Class 2A baseball, Minersville Area advanced with a win over Marian Catholic on Friday afternoon.
In Class 1A softball, Tri-Valley routed Nativity BMV to set up a championship game against Marian Catholic on Tuesday.
Williams Valley crushed Mahanoy Area and will play Minersville Area in a District XI championship, which upset Schuylkill Haven Area on Friday in Class 2A.
Pine Grove Area awaits the winner of Pen Argyl and Palisades for the 3A championship on Wednesday.
In Class 4A, Tamaqua Area, Blue Mountain, and North Schuylkill all emerged victorious to advance to the semifinals.
Pottsville Area’s season came to a close in a loss to Pleasant Valley in Class 5A.
District XI Playoff Scoreboard
Here is a roundup of all the games involving Schuylkill County teams on Friday in District XI baseball and softball:
Class 2A Baseball
- Minersville Area 5, Marian Catholic 3
Class 1A Softball Semifinals
- Tri-Valley 15, Nativity BVM 0
- Marian Catholic 13, Shenandoah Valley 3
Class 2A Softball Semifinals
- Williams Valley 13, Mahanoy Area 1
- Minersville Area 4, Schuylkill Haven Area 2
Class 3A Softball Semifinals
- Pine Grove Area 10, Northern Lehigh 0
Class 4A Softball Quarterfinals
- Tamaqua Area 4, Notre Dame-Green Pond 3
- Blue Mountain 10, Palmerton Area 0
- North Schuylkill 10, Saucon Valley 2
Class 5A Softball Semifinals
- Pleasant Valley 9, Pottsville Area 2
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