Pa. Girls: Emerson's diving catch saves Cougars

Christa Emerson's diving shoestring catch in center field produced the game's final two outs for Calvary Christian in a 10-9 District 1 Class A first-round win at Delco Christian yesterday.

Emerson, a senior, had to make the catch to give the Cougars (8-10) the win, as both the tying and potential winning runs were in scoring position. She got a good jump off crack of the bat and, caught the ball six inches off the ground while running at full speed and doubling off the trailing runner at second to end the game.

Offensively Kelli Reichenbach went 4 for 4 with three RBIs to lead the Cougars, who now face top-seeded Bristol at a neutral site in semifinal game tomorrow.

It was the third meeting between the schools as Calvary Christian won, 12-3, in March and Delco Christian returned the favor with a 15-0 drubbing in April.

District 1 Class AAAA. Courtney Spina has done it all, figuratively, for Garnet Valley this season.

In a 1-0 second-round win over visiting Abington, she literally did it all.

Spina did her usual outstanding job on the mound, pitching a two-hitter and striking out 12, but her bat produced the game's only run, a sixth-inning sacrifice fly.

Spina's plate contribution was necessitated by an unusual sixth inning, when Mary Schlosbon reached safely on an error and appeared to be headed home with the go-ahead run when Nicki Spina, a junior, doubled, but Schlosbon fell rounding third and had to go back.

That's when Courtney Spina lofted a fly ball just deep enough to score Schlosbon.

In other games:

Only a walk and a hit batter kept Caroline Raymond from pitching a perfect game in host Downingtown West's 3-0 win over Plymouth Whitemarsh. As it was, Raymond struck out 12 in the no-hitter.

Host Neshaminy got a 3 for 3 day from Christina Udris, including a double and triple, in a 4-1 win over Boyertown. Sarah McGowan pitched a two-hitter.

Pennsbury ruined a fine pitching performance from Haverford High's Michele Patten in a 3-1 win. Patten took a no-hitter into the sixth, which was highlighted by a Kirby Groves' two-run homer.

Kate Schymanski pitched a two-hitter and added two hits of her own in Owen J. Roberts' 9-0 win over Coatesville.

Nicole Rodi and Taylre Stocks each had two hits for host Central Bucks South in a 7-1 win over Kennett.

Mandi Rush pitched a two-hitter for host Spring-Ford in its 7-1 win over Norristown. The Rams' Prena Kziva went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs.

District 1 Class AAA. Molly Ferguson pitched a three-hitter and Miranda Peto scored both runs as host Phoenixville topped St. Basil, 2-0, in a first-round game.

Nicole Corcoran pitched a three-hitter as Radnor won at Sun Valley, 10-3.