May 18, 2026 By Dave Whipkey 4 min read

McMURRAY – Often lost in softball behind hitting and pitching is a team’s ability to field and play defense.

Jefferson-Morgan needed every bit of their ability to make plays in the field Monday night at Pleasant Valley Athletic Complex in McMurray as the Rockets (16-6) nipped Serra Catholic (12-6) in a thrilling quarterfinal game 2-1. The Rockets move onto the semifinals against Union on Thursday at a site and time to be determined.

Rockets second baseman Braelynn Bayles made two sparkling plays to take away base hits. Her first diving snag robbed Johana Domek of a hit in the bottom of the second inning. But it was her second play of significance that saved the evening for Jefferson-Morgan.

The Eagles were able to finally score a run in the bottom of the seventh off ace pitcher Emilee Bazzoli by way of a Brianna Dobnak RBI single. Bazzoli, who struck out eight; then faced her mound opponent Kelly Morrissey with two outs. A wild pitch moved runners to second and third. A hit most likely would have given the Eagles the win in crushing fashion.

Morrissey laced a line drive that appeared destined for centerfield, but Bayles was there to save the day with another diving snag that ended the contest and sent the Rockets on to the semifinals.

“She’s been that way for us all year,” Rockets coach Rich Rush said. “We flex her on defense and use her to bunt on offense and pinch run as well. We said before the last batter came up, someone needs to make a play in the infield. Thank goodness she did.”

Bazzoli, who was magnificent all game on the mound, was quite appreciative of her teammate Bayles’ effort.

“I can’t even describe what I was feeling. I am so proud of her,” Bazzoli commented. “She was my MVP for the game, no question. I was shocked, I thought that ball was headed for the gap.”

Jefferson-Morgan showed some punch on offense in the top of the sixth when it appeared Morrisey would stymie them all game. Robi Finley led off the inning with a solid double to right center field. Kelsey Vessels then sacrifice bunted her over to third. Ava Wood then came up and smashed a triple to give the Rockets a 1-0 lead.

As if she hadn’t done enough, Bazzoli then ripped a single to bring home the eventual game-winning run and a 2-0 lead.

Rush added they did well enough to get two runs off Morrissey, who was almost as good as Bazzoli all night.

“She’s did a good job keeping us off balance and was around the zone all night,” Rush said.

But Bazzoli was the one who was left standing in a pitchers duel and game that those there may not forget for a while.

“Emilee has been a rock for us all season and was nothing short of that tonight,” Rush said.

Chartiers-Houston 4-0

If the Bucs continue to pitch dominantly and get timely offense, they may well be headed back to the WPIAL 2A softball finals. Those two items were evident Monday afternoon at a steamy Pleasant Valley Athletic Complex in McMurray as Chartiers-Houston (18-2) dispatched Riverside 4-1 in quarterfinals action. The Bucs will face Bentworth in the semifinals.

Taryne Drilak stifled the Panthers (9-6) all game. She lugged a no hitter into the sixth inning before Ayla Sterner broke it up with a solid single to left center. Drilak struck out eight and walked three, while keeping Riverside’s batters off balance all game long.

“I just came out and threw hard and worked on hitting my spots,” the right-handed hurler said. “I just made sure I went out there and kept being fundamentally sound.”

She also caught the game’s final out when she secured a pop up to seal the game for the Bucs.

Kiera Drilak came up big in the second inning with a bases loaded double that brought in three runs. Brooklyn Hess smacked a triple in the first inning and scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch.

Bucs coach Tricia Alderson added she was pleased overall with her team’s performance but said the performance was far from perfect.

“I felt we left far too many runners on base,” she said. “But overall I was happy with how we played, especially on the artificial surface and with how hot it was. It’s been pretty cold all season so far, so that was different.”