HAMPTON — Ashleigh Schmidt delivered a triple to left-center to begin the game, an immediate punch in South Park’s face.

The Eagles didn’t even flinch.

South Park pitcher Justine Dean kept Schmidt at third. She went on to pitch a two-hit shutout as the Eagles (13-3) advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA softball semifinals with a 7-0 win over Freeport Tuesday at Hampton Community Park.

“We had some chances early in this game. We just never got the big hit we usually get,” Freeport coach Sam Ross said.

Dean walked six Yellowjackets on the day, including back-to-back free passes to No. 9 hitter Jenna Hildebrand and Schmidt with one out in the third. Claire Crytzer grounded into a force play and Kristie Radvan struck out to end that threat.

After Schmidt tripled to open the game, Dean retired Crytzer on a soft liner to first, fanned Radvan and got Allison DeJidas to pop out to shortstop.

“If we get a run early there, it might have made a big difference,” Ross said. “But it didn’t happen.”

“Justine kept getting herself in and out of trouble with those walks,” South Park coach Larry Mercurio admitted. “She pitched a solid game, though.”

Dean struck out nine — and got plenty of help from the first four hitters in Freeport’s batting order.

Bre Nugent (St. Francis of Pa.), Kaitlin Morrison (Penn State), Kailyn Pavlick (Pitt) and Katie Isenberg (Robert Morris) are all headed to Division I college ball. Morrison, a freshman, and sophomore Pavlick verbally committed to their respective schools as freshmen.

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not — these schools signing kids so early — but it’s definitely a thing,” Mercurio said.

South Park’s front four combined for seven hits, six runs, six RBI and seven stolen bases Tuesday. They’ve combined for 21 homers this season.

Pavlick tagged and scored from third on a pop fly caught by the second baseman. Isenberg scored from second on a ground out to shortstop.

“We work on running the bases all the time,” Mercurio said. “These girls instinctively do things like that. They know how to read the play.”

Freeport (13-5) says goodbye to a pair of seniors in first baseman Kristen Karcher and third baseman Alyssa Obringer. Karcher plans to play softball at Butler County Community College next year and Obringer may join her.

The Yellowjackets had four sophomores and a freshman in their starting lineup Tuesday. Second baseman Schmidt, who had both Freeport hits, is a sophomore.

Freeport committed five errors Tuesday, but only two of South Park’s runs were unearned.

“We have a young team that’s going to get better,” Ross said. “I’m proud of what these girls accomplished this year.

“South Park has an excellent team and we knew this was going to be a tough assignment. Every team in the playoffs is good. The better ones move on. It’s a pretty easy formula.”

Freeport 000 000 0 — 0 2 5

South Park 112 201 x — 7 9 0

W:Justine Dean 7IP (9K, 6BB). L: Kristie Radvan 6IP (1K, 2BB).

Freeport (13-5): Ashleigh Schmist 3B 1B

South Park (13-3): Bre Nugent 2B 1B 2-R RBI, Kaitlin Morrison 2-1B 2-R, Kailyn Pavlick 3B 1B 2-RBI, Katie Isenberg 1B 3-RBI, Laura Shinavski 1B, Jess Dean 2B, Angela Shine RBI