May 26, 2026 By Observer-Reporter 2 min read

WEXFORD – Chartiers-Houston scored twice and got the tying run at first base with no one out in the top of the seventh inning, but its rally fell short in a 6-5 loss to Laurel in the WPIAL Class 2A softball consolation game Tuesday at North Allegheny High School.

The good news for the Bucs is they are in the state playoffs regardless. But they’ll have a lot more travel if they advance through the bracket.

That’s because they will be on the Eastern side of the bracket.

Chartiers-Houston will play the District 6 champion, which will be the winner of Bellwood-Antis and West Shamokin in the first round of states, which is Monday.

Laurel will face District 10 champion Saegertown in the first round of the state playoffs.

Lauren Rush tripled to bring in Kiera Drilak in the top of the seventh and later scored on a wild pitch while Seanna Riggle walked.

Laurel made a pitching change, lifting starter Riley Balcom, for Jenna Kuth and Kuth got the final three outs to earn a save.

Chartiers-Houston led 2-1 after the top of the third thanks to an RBI double by Riggle, but the game turned in the bottom half.

Lizzy Pascoe, the No. 8 hitter in the lineup, hit a grand slam to left field as part of a five-run frame that put the Spartans in front 6-2.

Rush and Kiera Drilak, who doubled twice and tripled, had three hits apiece for the Bucs. Riggle, Rush, and Aubree Randolph doubled. Rush finished a home run short of the cycle.

Lexi Krol went 3-for-3 at the plate for Laurel with a double. Balcom got the win, allowing five runs on nine hits in six-plus innings. She had five walks and four strikeouts.

Taryne Drilak took the loss for the Bucs. She yielded six runs on nine hits with four walks and three strikeouts over six innings pitched.