Apr 29, 2019 4 min read

CARMICHAELS – Solid defense and stellar pitching has been the winning formula for Chartiers-Houston softball throughout the last decade.

And on Monday afternoon, it worked again for the Buccaneers.

Behind an error-free performance on the field and a two-hitter fired by Ella Brookman, Chartiers-Houston upended Carmichaels, 2-0, on the road and now stands alone on top of Section 3-AA with three section games remaining.

“We knew a win today would really put us into a good position (for the section title),” Chartiers-Houston coach Tricia Alderson said. “We control our own destiny now. Both teams were a little rusty offensively because neither one of us has played for a week. Our defense was flawless and we got a great outing from Ella.”

Brookman threw her seventh shutout of the season and only allowed a potent Carmichaels offense five baserunners.

“I had to adjust to the strike zone early on in the game,” Brookman said. “My change-up was hit or miss, but my fastball was clicking for me and I was hitting my spots. I also threw a good curveball and screwball today. I wanted to keep their hitters guessing.”

In the complete-game effort, Brookman had six strikeouts and two walks on 109 pitches.

The Bucs (8-1, 12-3) swept the regular-season series against Carmichaels, picking up a 12-7 victory on April 8.

“If you were to tell me we limit them to two runs, I would have definitely taken it,” Carmichaels coach Dave Briggs said. “Both pitchers were better this game than the last meeting. We just couldn’t put any hits together and get that clutch hit. When we did hit the ball hard, it was right at them.”

The Mikes (7-3, 10-4) drop to third place in the section behind C-H and Frazier with two section game left.

Kylie Sinn threw a solid game in the circle for Carmichaels. She pitched seven innings and allowed two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and a free pass on 107 pitches.

After the Bucs went down in order to start the game, Sinn led off the bottom half of the first inning with a single. Brookman was able to wiggle out of the jam after a popout to second base and a pair of strikeouts.

“We knew they were going to play with high energy today after beating Frazier (4-2) last time out,” Brookman said. “We had to match their energy early on. Once we got that early lead, we settled into the game.”

C-H struck for a run in the second when Kasey Scears drew a four-pitch walk and advanced to third on a double to left field by Lauren Lober. Scears crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Karlyn Bayer.

The visitors were looking to add one more run, via another sacrifice fly, but the runner left third base early while tagging and Carmichaels got out of the inning with a double play.

In the third inning, the Bucs extended their lead to 2-0 when Bella Hess slapped a two-out, RBI single to the outfield that scored Jaylese Lombardi.

Carmichaels tried to counter in the bottom half of the inning as Emily Menhart was hit by a pitch with one out followed by a walk to Sinn.

After a hard line drive to right field was caught and a popout, the Mikes left two runners on base.

“I think we show that we can play with the top teams in our section,” Briggs said. “And hopefully these games will help us in the playoffs. We’re not happy with the loss and our seniors really wanted that chance at a section title. We just have to finish the section off on a positive note and prepare for the playoffs.”

Gina Ranieri led off the bottom of the fourth with single, but C-H flexed its defense muscle and got out of the inning on with a 6-4-3 double play.

“Our defense played great today,” Alderson said. “We always rely on our defense to win games. Ella did a good job of getting ahead of the counts and finding the strike zone. Pitching and defense will carry us in the playoffs. Our section is really good, and I think these type of games will help us down the road.”

Brookman continued her solid outing by retiring nine of the final 10 batters she faced.

“This is a key win for us,” Brookman said. “Now we just have to win out if we want the section title. It’s all up to us now this week.”