Carmichaels softball handled DuBois Central Catholic, 7-0, last season in the first round of the PIAA Class A playoffs, but the stakes are much higher when the two meet Thursday morning for the state championship at Penn State University’s Beard Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Carmichaels coach Dave Briggs would love a repeat of last year’s game, but DuBois didn’t get this far by accident. “We played a good game last year and beat them up at their field, which was nice,” Briggs said. “They do have a lot of the same players back, but last year, they used two pitchers against us, and it looks like they just use one this year, and she’s a sophomore.
” Rylee Kulbatsky allowed one earned run on four hits and struck out 12 in the Cardinals’ 2-1 win in the semifinals over Old Forge. Lily Davidson was 3-for-3 with a triple, a run and an RBI for DuBois. Teammate Lauren Davidson was 2-for-2 in the state semifinals.
Sophomore Bailey Barnyak yielded four earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks in the Mikes’ 5-4 victory in walk-off fashion over section-rival Chartiers-Houston on Monday in the state semifinals. Carys McConnell had the walk-off hit. Teammate Kaitlyn Waggett had a hit and scored a run, as the Mikes took advantage of four errors committed by the Bucs.
“It feels amazing,” said Waggett moments after the win over Chartiers-Houston. “I’m proud of every single one of our players.” Two of Carmichaels’ three losses.