Clarion-Limestone 19, Elk County Catholic 11

BROCKWAY — Despite out-slugging No. 7 Clarion-Limestone in a game that featured a combined 29 hits, No. 3 Elk County Catholic committed seven defensive errors in Wednesday’s upset loss in the District 9 Class A semifinals.

ECC built an early 6-1 lead after the game’s first two innings, which was quickly erased by an eight-run C-L third. The teams traded offensive blows until the sixth, when C-L distanced itself with a six-run frame.

The Lady Crusaders (15-7) countered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to bring the deficit below 10 and force another inning, but by that point, C-L’s lead proved to be too much.

ECC starter Emily Mourer struck out seven batters while also walking seven. Of the 16 runs she allowed over 6.2 innings pitched, just four were earned.

Mourer went 2-for-4 at the plate while scoring a run and driving in four more. Lucy Klawhuhn and Lydia Anderson each had two hits, two runs and two RBI for the Lady Crusaders, while Tessa Fledderman added two hits and scored a run.

Cassidy Makray came up big for the Lady Lions in relief of starting pitcher Regan Husted, as Makray held the Lady Crusaders to five runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings of relief. Makray also led the way for C-L’s offense, finishing 3-for-5 with a run and five RBI.

Alyssa Wiant added three hits and five RBI for the Lady Lions, while Abby Himes, Kendall Dunn and Husted each had two hits.

C-L (8-5), which has pulled back-to-back upsets since entering the tournament as the seventh seed, advances to Monday’s championship game.

Its opponent will be determined on Thursday, when No. 1 DuBois Catholic and No. 5 Clarion play a semifinal matchup at Brockway.

That game, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was moved to Thursday due to inclement weather.

AT BROCKWAY

                                                 R H E

Clarion-Limestone 108 136 0 19 13 3

Elk County Catholic 240 203 0 11 16 7