H.S. SOFTBALL: Scherer leads Schuylkill Haven past Brandywine Heights 3-1
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes are moving on in the PIAA Class 2A State playoffs.
On Monday afternoon, the Hurricanes defeated Brandywine Heights 3-1 behind a complete game pitching effort from Allison Scherer, striking out six while keeping the Bullets to just two hits and one run.
The win marked the first PIAA state playoff win in Schuylkill Haven softball history, while clinching the Hurricanes' spot in the PIAA Quarterfinals, firmly putting them amongst the top eight Class 2A programs in the state.
Scherer also had one hit and the first RBI of the day in the win for the Hurricanes.
In a game that finished in just over an hour and a half, it got off to a blazing start with both Scherer and Brandywine Heights starter Kaitlyn Steventon making quick work in the circle.
Over the first two innings, the Hurricanes and Bullets combined for just one hit and five strikeouts at the plate, struggling to make quality contact.
Monday's three-run offensive output was tied for the third-lowest output from the Hurricanes this season.
It also marked their first win this season when scoring three runs or less; the Hurricanes were previously 0-5.
The reason for the struggles? Steventon is a left-handed pitcher.
"I think we've seen one left-hander this year,' Schuylkill Haven coach Garry Adams noted after the game. "With the left-hander, the ball kind of tails away."
But as great teams always do, the Hurricanes made adjustments on the fly.
"After the first inning, when they got at us there a little bit on our hitters, we just explained to them, ‘Hey, bump into that plate a little bit so you can get a little bit more coverage on it," Adams explained. "That way, if the ball kind of spins away… and you see we had a bunch of hits into that right-center area. I don't think there's anything else, honestly."
Sometimes, it also just takes getting on base to wake up an offense.
In the third inning with one out, it appeared Brandywine Heights was going to pick up a second quick, but Aubrie Wade reached base safely on a throwing error on the Bullets. She later stole second base, setting up Scherer to help herself.
Scherer, after striking out in her first at-bat of the day, ripped the first pitch she saw from Steventon into right field, scoring Wade.
The Bullets struck back in the top of the fourth with a run of their own, as Charlotte Ronco drove in Steventon, who began the inning with a single and stolen base of her own.
The Hurricanes settled in at the plate over the final three innings.
Lexie Mull began the Hurricanes' home half of the fourth inning with a single before scoring on an Octavia Houvig bloop into centerfield to make it 2-1.
They later tacked on an insurance run in the fifth inning, as Mull picked up her second hit of the day, an RBI double scoring Aisley Jenan to make it 3-1.
The talented freshman was the lone Hurricane to pick up more than one hit in the win.
While Schuylkill Haven was able to find their footing at the plate, Scherer kept Brandywine off balance throughout the rest of the afternoon, retiring 10 straight Bullets to close out the game.
"Her speed didn't look quite what it did the past two games, but she stayed right in control," Adams said about his ace. "We put it in the spots we wanted, so if they did put the bat on it, fielders can make plays-and that's what they did. That field did a hell of a job tonight."
Adams believes the experience of the last several weeks in the Schuylkill League and District 11 playoffs has helped Scherer find her groove in the circle.
"I think she is learning how to play within herself there," Adams said. "Pick and choose where we amp up the ball and everything, and try to do big things."
Scherer agreed with the notion, noting that the nerves on Monday were far fewer than in previous playoff games.
"There were definitely fewer nerves today because I've been practicing with my roles leading up to this, and I just know that they have my back," Scherer said. "So no matter what, I know we're going to go out there, and we're going to play hard, so I can just relax."
Scherer and the Hurricanes will look to continue their postseason run on Thursday against their toughest competition yet, District 1 champion Bristol. The Warriors will enter Thursday's quarterfinals with a 22-1 record.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.