McKEES ROCKS – The Smethport Lady Hubbers exacted some revenge
on Chartiers-Houston on Monday afternoon.

Diana Phalon threw a three-hitter and struck out 14 to send the
Lady Hubbers (20-2) to a 2-1 win in the first round of the PIAA
Class A softball playoffs.

Last year, Chartiers-Houston eliminated Smethport by the same
score.

Phalon, who didn’t allow a walk, struck out 12 of the last 15
batters she faced.

M. Greenawalt and D. Claassen were on the hill for
Chartiers-Houston, giving up five hits, striking out six and
walking none.

Megan Woods (2-for-3) had a fifth inning RBI single that scored
Bobbi McClelland who reached on a single to give the Lady Hubs a
1-0 lead.

In the sixth frame, Lauren Kinniburgh’s RBI single scored Bobbi
Mitchell, who reached on an error.

With Smethport leading 2-0, S. Hall smacked an RBI double to cut
the deficit to 2-1.

Phalon struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh to
secure the victory and send the Lady Hubbers into Thursday’s game
against Curwensville. Curwensville beat Southern Huntingdon 6-3
Monday.

“Diana pitched a great game,” Smethport coach Christine Lightner
said. “She chose the right game to be on top. She hit her spots
perfectly.

“To travel nearly 180 miles in a yellow school bus…they tipped
their hats to us down there.”

Chartiers-Houston is the two-time defending District 7 champions
and state runner-up in 2005.

The site and time of Thursday’s game against Curwensville will
be announced.

Curwensville beat Smethport 2-1 in this year’s District 9 Class
A semifinals.