CASSOPOLIS – Buchanan’s softball team found beating Brandywine for the third time this year wasn’t easy. But the Bucks were still able to turn back the Bobcats, 3-0, in Division 3 district semifinal action on Saturday.

In the other semifinal, defending district champion Bridgman rolled past Cassopolis, 22-1, in three innings.

During the regular season, Buchanan swept Brandywine in a doubleheader by scores of 9-0 and 11-2.

On Saturday, Bobcats’ bats were silenced by Bucks’ pitcher Kaitlynn Enders. Enders tossed a one-hitter, struck out nine and walked only one.

“We were putting the ball in play and were selective,” said Brandywine coach Angela Mellott. “She came at us more inside and low and we expected more outside and high pitches. You just have to make an adjustment.”

Enders got all the runs she needed in the third when Buchanan scored twice on four hits. Jayla Carrigan and Ashley Hicks each had an RBI single.

In the fifth, Buchanan extended its lead to 3-0 after getting an RBI double from Chelsey Bennett.

Erin Glavin finished with three hits for the Bucks, while Bennett and Hicks each had two.

Brandywine pitcher Mikayla Kemp allowed 10 hits, walked two and struck out three.

“Our pitcher did well,” Mellott said. “She walked a few batters, but she kept our team in the game. We had a few misread balls in the outfield because of the wind. But, overall, I was happy with our progress today.”

Brandywine’s lone hit was a double from Justine Sater in the sixth inning.

In the seventh, Katelyn Dolgos reached on an error for the Bobcats and stole second with two outs. But she advanced no further.

“We’ve come a long ways,” Mellott said. “We’ve been up and down this season. I feel at the end of the season we were starting to play good, consistent softball. If we had another game I feel we had a good chance to win. But, at districts, it’s one (loss) and you’re done.”

In the first semifinal, the Rangers totaled seven errors in falling to the Bees. Bridgman took control of the game by scoring 18 runs in the second inning.

Corianne Rasor doubled and singled and drove in five runs for the Bees. Teammate Kirsten Berni singled twice and drove in four runs. Selena Hatcher tripled for the Rangers.

Winning pitcher Anna Schmaltz allowed only two hits.

Division 3 Softball semifinals

At Cassopolis

Buchanan 002 010 0 – 3 10 2

Brandywine 000 000 0 – 0 1 0

Kaitlynn Enders (W) and Jayla Carrigan; Mikayla Kemp (L) and Rachael Ort

2B: Chelsey Bennett (Buchanan), Justine Sater (Brandywine)

Records

Buchanan 20-14, Brandywine 13-23