Bishop McCort Catholic blanks Bishop Guilfoyle Academy in District 6 Class 1A softball playoffs

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Bishop McCort Catholic’s Lariah Myers and Bishop Guilfoyle Academy’s Leah Byrne were dueling in the circle during the early portion of Friday’s District 6 Class 1A first-round softball game.

Myers retired the first 10 batters she faced in order, while the Crimson Crushers’ bottom third of the order provided the first run in the second inning.

A two-run third gave Myers some breathing room as Bishop McCort played error-free ball behind the sophomore right-hander to deliver a 4-0 victory Friday afternoon at Roxbury Park.

“She did well with the changing of pitches, just keeps them off-balance,” Bishop McCort coach Jimmy Myers said of Lariah Myers, his daughter. “That’s one thing she’s really strong at.”

Lariah Myers fired a three-hit shutout, collecting 13 strikeouts and throwing 73 of her 89 pitches for strikes. She delivered first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 24 batters she faced.

“It was very important to start the playoffs with a win,” Lariah Myers said. “It’s been a long journey with this team.

“We’re getting better as we go. I just love having my team behind me.”

Lariah Myers induced 32 swings and misses during the game using her arsenal of pitches, which allowed her to strike out the side in the fifth and seventh innings. She also fanned two batters each in the first, second and third frames.

“My curveball was really good as well as my changeup,” Lariah Myers said. “I love throwing those two together. I used my rise, too. That one works good.”

No. 6 seed Bishop McCort (10-11) will travel to third-seeded Purchase Line (15-3) Monday in a district quarterfinal. In 2025, the Red Dragons beat the Crimson Crushers 7-4 in the same round of the playoffs.

“We’re really excited,” said Bishop McCort sophomore shortstop Hannah Pfeil, who provided two hits and two runs as a catalyst atop the lineup. “I think we’re going to prepare pretty well for them. We owe them from last year.”

No. 11 seed Bishop Guilfoyle played in its first postseason game since 2012. The Marauders finished 5-13 with Byrne, a senior, posting five strikeouts and stranding seven runners to keep her team within striking distance. Brooke Swasing led the Marauders with two hits and was her team’s lone runner to reach second base.

“We went up against a great team, a great pitcher and a lot of great hitters,” Bishop Guilfoyle coach Brian Byrne said. “For us to go the distance and go down 4-0, I’m very proud of these girls. They played their hearts out out there today, and that’s all I’ve ever asked from them all year.”

Bishop McCort posted its second straight shutout of the season. After the first two Crimson Crushers were retired in the second inning, Bella Pensiero walked and stole second base. Reese Jarvis delivered an RBI single to center field on a 2-2 count.

“The timely hits were definitely a bonus to the team,” Pfeil said. “In the bottom of the second inning when Reese opened it up, it defintey got the energy up.”