ST. MARYS, Pa. (D9Sports) — Clarion’s dream of returning to the District 9 Class 1A title game and a rematch with DuBois Central Catholic ended a step short Wednesday when Coudersport used a three-run fifth to beat the Lady Cats, 4-2, in the semifinals at St. Marys High School.
(Photo: Sydney Kiser)
In a game delayed for 74-minutes because of weather, Macey Gleason broke a 1-all tie with a two-run homer to center with one out in the fifth, and Madison Smith added an insurance run with an RBI single later in the inning.
The insurance run made things a bit easier for Coudersport, especially after Clarion cut into the lead in the sixth.
Carly Best led off the inning with a double before going to third on an Alexis Constantino single. Maya Thornton followed by lifting a fly ball to center to score Best cutting the Lady Falcons lead to 4-2.
Sadie Rudesyle then followed with a walk to put runners on first and second, but Smith struck out Kate Constantino and got Sydney Kiser to pop up to end the threat.
Shaelyn Black then relieved Smith in the seventh and set down the Lady Cats in order to preserve the win.
The game was suspended after three because of lightning and rain and didn’t resume for over an hour.
When it did resume, Coudersport struck first with two outs in the fourth when Smith singled and her courtesy runner, Claudia Miller, scored on a double by Stephanie Fry.
Clarion tied the game in the fifth when Kate Constantino led off with a single and scored on a triple to right by Kiser.
But Coudersport game up with a big defensive play on a bunted grounder hit by MacKenzie DiTullio, as Smith threw out Kiser trying to score from third.
Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI for Coudy, which is looking to go three-for-three in ball sports titles this year. The Lady Falcons won the Class 1A volleyball title in the fall and then followed that up by taking home the Class 2A basketball title in the winter.
Smith also got the win going six innings allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two. Black picked up the save striking out one in her inning of work.
Kiser was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Clarion.
Rudesyle took the loss going six innings allowing four runs, all earned, on eight hits and a walk while striking out three.
Coudersport, which qualified for the PIAA playoffs with the win, takes on DuBois Central Catholic in the title game at 4 p.m. Thursday at St. Marys High School.
Clarion faces Elk County Catholic in a winner-goes-to-the-PIAA playoffs, loser-goes-home consolation game at 4 p.m. Thursday at Brockway High School.
