May 17, 2017 4 min read

BALDWIN – Seven days off can leave any team rusty enough to put in for a big supply of oil cans.

There is always the fear a softball team as talented as Chartiers-Houston might have some difficulties getting the squeaks and creaks out.

When the Bucs loaded the bases against Brentwood in the first two innings and could produce just one run, well, there had to be some concern.

When Karlyn Bayer smacked a two-run single in a three-run third, the C-H motor was humming and an 8-2 rout of Brentwood was on in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs Tuesday at Baldwin High School.

The victory moved the Bucs, last season’s WPIAL Class A runner-up to West Greene, to 15-3 and gives them a game Thursday against Mohawk, a 16-0 winner of Shady Side Academy yesterday, in the quarterfinals at a site and time to be determined.

Brentwood, the fourth-place team out of Section 1, finished the season at 6-8.

“I thought we were going to hit the ball better early on but we haven’t played in a week,” said C-H coach Tricia Alderson. “I don’t know if it was a little bit of rust, but hopefully we’ll play better next round.”

Alderson put the Bucs through a tough week of practice while waiting for this game.

“We left way too many runners on base,” she said. “But a win is a win. We’ll take it and move on to the next game.”

Bayer’s single through the middle of the infield sent home Lauren Lober, who got on base via an error, and Jaylese Lombardi, who doubled her to third. Those two runs gave the Bucs a 4-1 lead and seemed to calm the Bucs.

“It was nice to get that hit and to get those runs,” Alderson said. “Those two RBI put us up and gave us a cushion. It felt good.”

The Bucs blew the game open in the bottom of the sixth with the help of Lober’s two-run single that highlighted a four-run sixth inning that made it 8-1.

The Bucs scored two runs on Brentwood errors and losing pitcher Brittany Stewart walked in a run with the bases loaded in the second.

“We were a little rusty at first, but a win’s a win and we’re excited to move on,” said C-H third baseman Macie Kesneck. “I felt like we played tight in the beginning and that’s usually how we play like that. Once we calm down, that’s when we play our best.”

Kaci Alderson had a double among her two hits and Kesneck scored twice. Stephanie Thomas doubled for Brentwood.

Seton-La Salle, 4-2

Bentworth made too many mistakes in order to pull off an upset of Seton-La Salle.

The Bearcats hung tough against the Rebels in the first round of the Class AA playoffs.

An error preceded a towering two-run home run by Lexi Walker proved to be the game-winner in Seton-La Salle’s 4-2 victory.

Seton-La Salle, champion of Section 1 with an 11-4 record, moves into the quarterfinals against Shenango, an 18-3 winner over North Catholic.

Bentworth, the third-place team from Section 3, finished the season with a 10-11 record.

“We played competitive,” said Bentworth head coach Jack Cramer. “We made mistakes. Good teams don’t make mistakes. Overall, I was happy with how we played. We’re a young team so we’ll be back.”

Seton-La Salle got a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning with the help of the Bearcats. Leadoff hitter Julie Curry singled to open the game and came around to score on a wild pitch.

Jada Simon singled and eventually scored on a Bentworth error.

“We needed to get ahead, get a little confidence,” Cramer said. “Like I said, if you make a mistake, and they score, now you’re chasing them.”

Walker’s home run came in the fifth inning and made it 4-0.

“She has been consistent all year,” said Seton-La Salle head coach Cindy Beauregard. “She’s one of our leading hitters. Lexi knows what she needs to do when she is at the plate.”

Bentworth scored two runs in the sixth. Savannah Adams doubled and moved to second on a bunt single byKaylie Anderson.

Adams scored on a bouncer back to the mound, going home when Simon threw to first. Leah Lindley drove in Anderson with a single to left field.

Simon struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter. Losing pitcher Leah Lindley struck out four with no walks.

“A game like this is tremendous,” Cramer said. “It gives us a tremendous amount of experience. We’ll be back and they’ll remember this.”