Stellar defense carries C.B. South into semis

Central Bucks South coach Jennifer Robinson called it the best defense her 22-3 team had played all season.

The Titans used two double plays and threw out a baserunner at home to help preserve a 1-0 win over Gov. Mifflin yesterday and earn a berth in the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals on Monday.

Rightfielder Nicole Rodi started the relay that cut down the Mustangs' Caity McRobbie at the plate in the top of the fourth inning. The play went from Rodi to second baseman Molly Hare, to catcher Lauren Klepchick.

Rodi's double in the bottom of the fourth inning, one of the Titans' three hits, brought Klepchick home with the lone run. Klepchick had reached base with a single and went to second on a passed ball.

"Any time we make a big play in the field seems to help us at the bat," Rodi said. On her double, she said she hit a fastball over the middle of the plate from sophomore pitcher Jess Epler. "I had a 2-0 count, and I was looking for something I could drive."

The Titans turned a double play in the second inning when first baseman Taylre Stock caught a pop-up on Alex Kissinger's bunt attempt with none out and one on. They got another in the fifth with none out and one on.

Once again, South's pitching duo of Devon Utterback and Francesca Carrullo prevailed only with a slight twist this time. They've been alternating starts. Carrullo was scheduled to start yesterday's game against the District 3 champion Mustangs (18-7). But Robinson decided to start Utterback.

"We had a conversation yesterday, and I asked them if they would with Devon starting and Francesca coming in," Robinson said. "They would still get their same innings, three for the starter and four for the reliever as planned.

Utterback faced the minimum of nine batters through her stint. Carullo, who throws slightly faster than Utterback, faced baserunners in both the fourth and fifth innings, but the big play at the plate and a double play got her out of any trouble.

Kissinger doubled with two outs in the seventh inning, but did not score.

"We [hit] the ball with authority," said Mustangs coach Frank Keating, "but right at people, and they made the plays."

The Titans will face Shaler, the District 7 runner-up, at a time and place to be determined on Monday.

Gov. Mifflin 000 000 0 - 0 5 1

Central Bucks South 000 100 x - 1 3 0

WP: Francesca Carrullo. LP: Jess Epler.

2B: GM-Alex Kissinger. CBS-Nicole Rodi, Haileigh Stocks.