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Softball: Pope John Paul II, Upper Perkiomen set up all-PAC matchup in District 1-4A final

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Softball

Pope John Paul II and Upper Perkiomen set up an all-Pioneer Athletic Conference battle for the District 1-4A softball championship with their semifinal wins Tuesday.

No. 2 seed Pope John Paul II defeated No. 3 Merion Mercy 11-5 in their home semifinal while No. 4 Upper Perkiomen went on the road and knocked off top seed Villa Maria 8-2.

PJP put up three runs in three of their first four at-bats to grow a 9-3 lead that carried it into the district 4A final. Abby Simmers (3-for-3, RBI), Kelly Murphy (3-for-4, 2B) and Molly Houchins (2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 SB) led hte way offensively. Catcher Charlie Hallman was 2-for-4 with two RBI and threw out two runners at second base.

Pitcher Lexi DiBricida allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts over seven innings.

Upper Perk avenged a district final loss last year to Villa Maria by taking control with a four-run third inning. Erin Gray pitched a complete game where she allowed seven hits, one earned run and struck out three.

Upper Perk, who had 11 hits, had four players with two-hit games including Darby Gasda, Brooke Sullivan, Ashley Forrest (2B, 2 RBI) and Riley Eden while Elizabeth Proctor and Morgan Robinson each drove in two runs. Proctor’s two-run triple delivered the big blow in the third inning.

Upper Perk tacked on three runs in the seventh for the winning margin on hits from Forrest (double), Robinson and Ryan Berg.

PJP will take on Upper Perk Thursday at Methacton, 4 p.m. for the District 1-4A championship. Only one team qualifies for the PIAA tournament.

 

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