Ferri fires shutout as C-H moves on
By The Observer-Reporter
CRESSON – Meadow Ferri fired a two-hit complete game as WPIAL champion Chartiers-Houston defeated West Branch 4-0 in the PIAA Class A softball quarterfinals Thursday at Mount Aloysius College.
The Bucs (19-2) extended their winning streak to seven games and set up a rematch with section rival Carmichaels in the semifinals Monday at a site and time to be determined. It will be the fourth meeting this year between the Bucs and Mikes. Chartiers-Houston has a 2-1 edge in the series.
Against West Branch (21-4), the District 6 runner-up, Chartiers-Houston was locked in a scoreless tie until the top of the fourth inning when the Warriors let a popup drop on the infield, allowing a run to score.
C-H made it 3-0 in the sixth. A bunt single by Seanna Riggle allowed Taryne Drilak to advance from first base all the way to third. Drilak scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Emily Swarrow. The second run of the inning scored when a throw to third base was errant, allowing Drilak to cross home plate and push the C-H lead to 3-0.
That was more than enough support for Ferri. The junior did not allow a hit until a clean double with two outs in the fourth inning. The only other West Branch hit came with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
Chartiers-Houston scored its final run in the top of the seventh. Ella Richey smacked a leadoff double for her second hit of the game. She scored on a ball hit by Ferri.
West Branch committed five errors and walked six C-H batters.