Cambridge Springs to play a state playoff game at Slippery Rock University today

Cambridge Springs softball draws West Greene today in the first round of the PIAA Class 1A softball tournament. The Blue Devils and Pioneers will play at 6 p.m. at Slippery Rock University.

Cambridge Springs blanked West Middlesex 12-0 in the District 10 championship game on Memorial Day. The Blue Devils are 15-2 while West Greene is 16-4.

The Pioneers lost to District 7 runner-up Carmichaels 10-0 in the semifinals then edged Jefferson-Morgan 4-3 in the third-place game.

West Greene returns all-state outfielder Marissa Tharp and all-state utility player Payton Gilbert. Tharp had 25 runs and 15 hits in 80 plate appearances this season.

Gilbert and Emmaline Beazell lead the team in bating average at .471 and .352. Gilbert has 33 hits and 22 RBIs while Beazell has 24 RBIs and 19 hits.

On the mound, Gilbert boasts a 2.68 ERA. She has 100 strikeouts and 50 walks with 46 earned runs in 120 innings.

Cambridge Springs junior pitcher Kayla Crawford has 179 strikeouts and 38 walks with 15 earned runs. Crawford, a division I commit to Southeastern Louisiana, has a 1.11 ERA.

At the plate, Jada Murawski leads with a .426 average. Aubrie Crawford and Quinn Eaglen have a .373 and .369 average, respectively. Murawski has 29 RBIs and 20 hits. Aubrie Crawford and has 19 hits and Eaglen added 24 with 24 runs.

The winner of today’s game will play in Thursday’s quarterfinal round against either Carmichaels or Berlin Brothersvalley.