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Chartiers-Houston softball wins 9th WPIAL title

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Chartiers-Houston coaches, players and staff members pose with the WPIAL Class A softball championship trophy while wearing their medals following Friday’s 9-5 victory over the Union at PennWest California’s Lilley Field. The Bucs won their first district title since 2012 and ninth overall in program history.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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Chartiers-Houston pitcher Meadow Ferri is set to deliver a pitch during Friday’s WPIAL Class A softball championship game at Lilley Field in PennWest, California. Ferri had 11 strikeouts in the Bucs’ 9-5 win for their first WPIAL title since 2012 and ninth overall in program history.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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Chartiers-Houston’s Emily Swarrow brings the WPIAL Class A softball championship trophy to her teammates, including Meadow Ferri (left) after the Bucs beat Union 9-5 Friday at PennWest California’s Lilley Field.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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Chartiers-Houston’s Ella Richey connects for a double during Friday’s WPIAL Class A softball championship game against Union at PennWest California’s Lilley Field. The Bucs won the title with a 9-5 victory.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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Chartiers-Houston’s Seanna Riggle stands after stealing a base during the second inning of Friday’s WPIAL Class A championship game against Union at PennWest California’s Lilley Field. Riggle would later score in the Bucs’ 9-5 victory for their ninth district title in program history.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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Union’s Korynee Shannon scores as Chartiers-Houston catcher Ella Richey receives the throw during the fourth inning of Friday’s game for the WPIAL Class A softball championship at Lilley Field in PennWest, California. Shannon scored on the play, but the Bucs won 9-5 to capture their ninth district title in program history.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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Chartiers-Houston’s Lauren Rush beats Union’s Becca Cameron’s throw to advance to third base on a wild pitch during the third inning of Friday’s WPIAL Class A softball championship game at PennWest California’s Lilley Field. Rush, who doubled in the top of the inning, eventually scored to help the Bucs earn a 9-5 victory and their ninth gold medal in program history.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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Chartiers-Houston’s Ella Richey steals third base before throwing to Union’s Becca Cameron during the sixth inning of Friday’s WPIAL Class A championship game at Lilley Field in PennWest California. Richey would later score in the Bucs’ 9-5 victory for their ninth WPIAL title in program history.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
















CALIFORNIA — For a little while during Friday’s WPIAL Class A championship game, it looked like Chartiers-Houston was going to let the title game slip through its fingers.

Even though the Bucs come from a small school and have a relatively small squad, we have to admit one thing: the CH girls are tough. And even harder to beat on the softball field.

Chartiers-Houston took a six-run lead in the fourth, saw its lead reduced to a single run after five, then rallied during the next inning to notch a 9-5 victory over top-seeded Union series, at Lilley Field in PennWest California.

It was the ninth district title for Chartiers-Houston, which won its first since 2012. Chartiers-Houston ended Union’s two-year hold on the Class A championship.

“I’m really happy for the kids because they worked so hard,” Chartiers-Houston head coach Tricia Alderson said. “We’re super excited.”

The nine points scored by the Bucs were the third-most allowed by the Union this season. The Scotties beat New Castle 18-12 and lost to Neshannock, 12-2. Both matches took place without a section.

The Bucs’ point total is even more impressive considering Union was a tough team to score on. At one point in the season, Union posted eight straight shutouts en route to winning the Section 1 title.

Union (20-2) and Chartiers-Houston (18-2) will next play in the PIAA Class A tournament. Chartiers-Houston will entertain District 5 runner-up Berlin Brothersvalley on Monday at Peterswood Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

“We made a few mistakes here and there,” Union head coach Doug Fisher said. “They were the better team today.”

Chartiers-Hoston advanced to the WPIAL final by defeating Carmichaels, 3-2, in the semifinals. She beat Jeannette 16-0 in four sets in the quarterfinals and earned a first-round bye.

The Scotties beat Jefferson-Morgan 11-2 in the quarterfinals and stunned West Greene 10-0 in six sets in the semifinals. Union also received a first-round bye.

“We faced some really good pitchers this season and in the first two rounds of the playoffs, so we felt pretty good about hitting,” Alderson said. “We fell apart a little bit defensively in that inning, but Meadow (Ferri) pitched really well. I always expect a good performance from her. She has been fantastic this season.

Ferri had six strikeouts in the first two innings and finished with 11 strikeouts and three walks. Meanwhile, Ferri helped herself by hitting a triple that scored Lauren Rush in the first inning. The Bucs made it 2-0 in the second half when Emily Swarrow’s single to right field scored Seanna Riggle, who picked up after being hit by a pitch.

“The first four rounds we were rolling and then we had a little hiccup,” Ferri said. “After that, we refocused.”

Rush and Ferri scored in the top of the third to make it 4-0, and Alana Palone and Ella Richey scored in the fourth to make it 6-0.

Union rallied for a run in the bottom of the fourth and four more in the fifth. The big hit was a two-run single from Olivia Benedict.

The Bucs came back with three runs in the top of the sixth. The big hit was a two-run single to right field by Zaylee Fonner.

“I never thought the game would get away from us because we worked so hard,” Rush said. “We wouldn’t be shaken.”

The Bucs avenged their loss to Union in last year’s semifinals.

“It’s a small school with a small enrollment,” Richey said. “But that just means everyone is important.” We came to make a statement and let them know we came to play.








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