CLARION — In a game that featured just six hits between both teams, Elk County Catholic rode starting pitcher Hunter Cashmer’s gem on the mound to a 2-0 win in eight innings over Clarion in the opening round of the District 9 Class A baseball playoffs.
Cashmer pitched all eight innings and allowed no runs on just two hits and one walk. He fanned 10 batters during a performance that required only 87 pitches.
The teams went scoreless through the first seven innings, sending the game into extras. In the top of the eighth, 4-seed Elk Catholic plated a pair of runs and then held 5-seed Clarion scoreless in the bottom of the frame to secure the victory.
With one out in the top of the eighth, Taylor Herzing reached by error, and then Will Uberti lined a single to advance him to third.
Uberti then stole second, and Herzing advanced home to break the tie for a 1-0 lead. Alec Wehler then singled Uberti in for the 2-0 lead. Uberti had the game’s only RBI.
Clarion starting pitcher Chase Kriebel lasted 6.2 innings and allowed no runs on two hits. He posted 15 strikeouts and just four walks during his outing.
Skylar Rhoades came on in relief for Kriebel and allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one.
Elk Catholic now faces 1-seed DuBois Central Catholic Thursday at a neutral site in the semifinals.
AT CLARION
R H E
Elk CC 000 000 02 2 4 1
Clarion 000 000 00 0 2 1
Hunter Cashmer (10 SO, 1 BB) and Brennen Klawuhn
Chase Kriebel (15 SO, 4 BB), Skylar Rhoades (7) (1 SO, 0 BB) and Lake Staub
Class AA Quarterfinals
Johnsonburg 5, Brockway 3
JOHNSONBURG — One swing of the bat boosted the Rams’ offense on Tuesday and propelled them into the District 9 Class AA semifinals.
Senior Daunte Allegretto hit a three-run homer as part of a four-run fourth inning to send fourth-seeded Johnsonburg past five-seed Brockway.
Allegretto’s blast was one of just three hits from the Rams in the game, as Brockway starting pitcher Tino Inzana went the distance on the mound.
But Allegretto was nearly equal to the task on the bump for Ridgway, allowing just three hits over five innings of work.
The Rovers nearly pulled off an impressive comeback over the final innings, scoring three runs against two Johnsonburg relievers.
Zane Puhala had two doubles and two RBI for Jburg.
The Rams advance to face Coudersport — which it beat in the postseason last year — on Thursday.
AT JOHNSONBURG
R H E
Brockway 000 001 2 3 5 2
Johnsonburg 010 400 0 5 3 0
Tino Inzana (4 SO, 3 BB), and Matthew Clark
Daunte Allegretto (4 SO, 3 BB), Gabe Watts (6) (4 SO, 3 BB), Gavin Elmquist (7) (SO) and Ethan Wells
