Harbor Creek uses big inning to beat Corry in D-10 softball playoffs. How'd they do it?

Harbor Creek has been building its softball program to make a run this year with a talented senior class.

The seniors sparked a six-run fifth inning as Harbor Creek rallied to keep its season going at least another two weeks.

Hannah Smith homered and Maggie Konieczki had a big hit as the Huskies beat Corry 9-6 in the District 10 Class 3A softball semifinals Thursday at Penn State Behrend.

“Our experience is the key and the senior have really stepped up,” said Harbor Creek coach Tim Caputo. “Being a senior in these moments makes a big difference.”

Harbor Creek (18-4) moves on to the D-10 championship on Monday against undefeated Sharon as well as the PIAA first round on June 3, while Corry ends its season at 17-3.

Corry came out as the aggressive team Thursday as the Beavers had lost just two games this year with both coming against Sharon.

Allison Sawyer had a two-run single in the first inning and the Beavers added runs in the third inning on a bases-loaded walk and on a Harbor Creek error to take a 4-3 lead.

Harbor Creek, which scored three runs in the second inning on a Konieczki sacrifice fly and two-run single by Addison Lucas, put together a back-breaking rally in the fifth inning.

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Huskies' decisive fifth inning

It started with a game-changing, two-run home run by Smith, who will play for Behrend next year.

“I had two strikes and knew I had to stay calm and have confidence in myself,” Smith said. “I trusted myself and it just happened.”

The Huskies weren’t satisfied with flipping the score to take a one-run lead. A few batters later, Konieczki ripped a two-run single and Harbor Creek added runs on a wild pitch and groundout to take a 9-4 lead.

“We talked about boosting each other’s morale and staying focused in the box,” said Konieczki, the leadoff hitter for the Huskies. “I take a lot of pride in being the leadoff hitter as it’s important to get on, steal and score.”

Lucas and Konieczki each drove in three runs, while Smith and freshman Brooklyn Cipalla both had two hits. Alli Goodwill and Sawyer had three hits apiece for Corry.

“We’re excited to compete for a D-10 title and take this one step at a time,” Caputo said.

Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: District 10 3A softball playoffs: Harbor Creek beats Corry in semifinal