MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (EYT/D9) – Two District 9 baseball teams and two softball teams will be in action Monday with a trip to the PIAA championships on the line.
(DuBois Central Catholic’s Brandin Anderson delivers a pitch in the District 9 Class A championship game/photo by Diane Lutz)
DuBois Central Catholic has both its baseball and softball teams playing in state semifinal games.
The DCC baseball team, fresh off a convincing 7-1 win over District 10 champion Saegertown on Thursday, will clash with District 5 champion Southern Fulton in the Class A semifinals at 2 p.m. Monday at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson.
Southern Fulton knocked Clarion-Limestone out of the playoffs on Thursday, rallying from 4-0 down early for an 8-5 win.
The DuBois Central Catholic softball team is also rolling into the semifinals. The Cardinals cruised to an 8-2 win over old nemesis West Greene in the quarterfinals and will face District 10 champion Saegertown in the Class A semifinals at Westminster College at 4 p.m. Monday.
It’ll be a big test for DCC. Saegertown pitcher Mikaila Obenrader has put up some eye-popping numbers in the circle for the Panthers.
She’s 13-4 with a 0.94 ERA. In 97 innings she’s surrendered just 30 hits while striking out 194.
The Cardinals, though, have a formidable lineup, led by Emma Suplizio and her .514 average. The senior has also hit two home runs and driven in 33. DuBois Central Catholic is batting .450 as a team.
The Punxsutawney baseball team is also riding high after a dramatic, come-from-behind win over Franklin in the quarterfinals. The Chucks will take on undefeated District 6 champion Central (Martinsburg) at 7 p.m. Monday at First Commonwealth Field in Homer City.
Central is 25-0 this season.
The Clearfield softball team will also face an undefeated team when the Bison square off against District 7 champ Beaver at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Francis University.
Emma Hipps was one strike away from a perfect game in a 2-0 Clearfield win over Hamburg.
She will match up with Beaver’s own exceptional pitcher, Payton List.
