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DCC’s D9 Dominance Continues With Win Over ECC in Class 1A Title Game Powered by N. Washington Rodeo

The 2023 D9 champion DCC Lady Cardinals. Photo submitted.

DUBOIS, Pa. – DuBois Central Catholic scored three runs in the third inning and then added some cushion with three runs in the sixth on their way to a fourth consecutive District 9 title, 6-2 over Elk County Catholic in the 1A title game.

Rewatch the game:

DCC won titles in 2019 (there was no season in 2020), 2021 and 2022.

In addition, freshman Rylee Kulbatsky came in the third inning and allowed just one unearned run on two hits, striking out three.

               

With the Cardinals nursing a 3-2 lead, courtesy runner Maggie Mauthe came home on a double steal (she came in for Rose Whipple, who reached on an error to start the inning) and Lauren Davidson, who went to second on the play, came home moments later on Lexi Berta’s RBI single.

See the double steal:

See Berta’s hit:

                          

“This means everything,” Berta said. “I love playing for this team. It just feels great to win again.”

See Berta and Kulbatsky’s full interview:

It was actually Elk County Catholic that scored first on Lydia Anderson’s RBI single in the first inning, bringing in Lucy Klawuhn, who had walked. It was Anderson’s sixth consecutive hit after going 5-for-5 in the Lady Crusaders’ semifinal win over Otto-Eldred.

DCC took advantage of Elk County Catholic errors in the third to put up a three-spot. Berta reached on an error and Kali Franklin single before Jessy Frank’s fielder’s choice put runners on first and third with one out. Kayley Risser hit a ground ball to first that Anderson wasn’t able to field cleanly, allowing Berta to score.

               

Melia Mitskavich followed with an infield single, with Frank and Risser both coming home on a throwing error on the play.

ECC got back within 3-2 on Gabby Weisner’s RBI double in the fifth.

Kultbasky retired the final seven batters she faced, including a pair of strikeouts.

Franklin, Berta, and Lydia Morgan finished with two hits each for DCC. Mitskavich started the game, going 2 ⅓ innings and allowing one unearned run on three hits, striking out three, and walking one.

Weisner finished with two of ECC’s five hits. Emily Mourer took the loss, allowing six runs (two earned) on eight hits in six innings, striking out three and walking one.

The win was the third this season for the Cardinals over the Crusaders.

With the win, DCC will face the WPIAL runner-up, either Union (New Castle) or Carmichaels in the first round of the PIAA playoffs on Monday, June 5.

ECC, meanwhile, will meet Forest Area in the D9 true second-place game on Tuesday. Forest Area was a 14-6 winner over Otto-Eldred in the consolation game on Monday. The true second-place game is scheduled for DuBois’ Heindl Field at 3 p.m.

                       

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