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Ritchey, Berlin Brothersvalley outduel Carmichaels in PIAA 1A opener

BERLIN — In a battle of aces, Berlin Brothersvalley junior Elena Ritchey outdueled Carmichaels senior and Indiana (Pa.) recruit Bailey Barnyak. The Mountaineers bested the Mighty Mikes 2-0 in the first round of the PIAA 1A softball playoffs, Monday, June 1.

"That was on old-fashioned pitchers' duel," said Berlin coach Brian Slope "Elena was fantastic in the circle. We played great defense behind her. (Carmichaels) is a very good team. (Barnyak) is first class."

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Ritchey allowed just two hits, hit a batter and struck out 12.

"This feels great," Ritchey said. "Things don't always go as planned. We struggled a bit in the box, but it was a great team effort and got the win in the end. That's all that matters."

Berlin Brothersvalley's Elena Ritchey delivers a pitch during a PIAA Class 1A softball first-round game against Carmichaels, Monday, June 1, in Berlin.

Berlin (23-2) struck first in the bottom of the second. Senior Elsie Barna singled, stole second and advanced to third on a single by freshman Callie Ritchey. Barna's sophomore sister, Bena dropped a bunt down third for a hit and the ball was then misplayed, allowing Elsie Barna to race home.

"I thought about bunting before the at-bat," Bena Barna said. "(Barnyak) is a good pitcher. I felt like we were in the perfect situation for it. We practice it a lot. I just wanted to get something going. It's so much fun playing with these girls."

Elena Ritchey's lone spot of bother came in the fourth. Ke'Lani Chun hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a pitch in the dirt. However, Ritchey worked out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts.

The Mountaineers added an insurance run in the sixth. Elena Ritchey hit a 1-out single and Elsie Barna followed with a sacrifice bunt, moving her into scoring position. Callie Ritchey delivered in the clutch with an RBI single to center.

Berlin Brothersvalley's Elsie Barna singles in the bottom of the second inning of a PIAA Class 1A softball game against Carmichaels, Monday, June 1, in Berlin.

"That's senior leadership," Slope said of Elsie Barna. "Our senior cleanup hitter lays down a perfect sacrifice bunt and then Callie came through with a big 2-out hit. We've been doing that all year. Someone different has stepped up and taken on that role of making the difference in a game."

Sam Walker added two hits for Berlin.

The PIAA win is only Berlin's second in softball program history.

Berlin meets District 10 champion Cambridge Springs in a rematch of the quarterfinals last season. The Devils bested the Mountaineers 4-2.

"Our plan stays the same. We want to get off to a good start and play good defense," Slope said. "This team decided early in the year that we were going to focus on one pitch, one at-bat, one inning at a time. That's what we've done all year. We want to win the inning and carry that on to the next one."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Berlin Brothersvalley lone Somerset County team left in PIAA playoffs

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