CARA FIALA drove in three runs and caught the final out in deep centerfield with a runner on third base to preserve Philadelphia Academy Charter's 11-10 victory over Bishop McDevitt in the District 12 Class AA softball championship game at La Salle University on Wednesday.
PAC built a 10-2 lead before McDevitt rallied within 10-7 entering the seventh inning.
The Chargers added the winning run in the top of the seventh, when Casey Fratella singled and scored on a hit by Chealsey Cashman.
In the bottom of the seventh, Carlee Cantwell (4-for-5) lined a bases-loaded triple to close the gap to 11-10, but was stranded when Fiala (3-for-4) caught the final out.
Pitcher Sarah Kleinbrahm went the distance, leading the Chargers to their first championship in the 6-year history of the program.
* In the District 12 Class AAA championship, Shannon Strickler's two-run homer punctuated an eight-run second inning as Conwell-Egan won the district title for the first time, 15-0, over Franklin Towne Charter at La Salle U. Gina Massaro and Laura Christine combined to pitch the three-inning two-hitter with a total of five strikeouts.
