WEST MIFFLIN — Freeport's 13-0 start to the season included several games in which the Yellowjackets had to rally late to win.

It seemed that same script would play out Wednesday, but this time, the big hit never came.

Southmoreland freshman pitcher Jessica Matheny held Freeport's potent lineup scoreless over the final four innings as the Scotties claimed a 6-4 win in a WPIAL Class 3A semifinal at West Mifflin High School.

“They threw a lefty at us today and you don't see many of those,” said Freeport coach Sam Ross. “She hung in there and made good pitches when she had to.”

Matheny withstood Freeport's 3-run third inning, which included a solo home run from Ally DeJidas. Tori Radvan drove in a run in the frame with a sacrifice fly and Emily Schmidt doubled in the third run of the inning to slice Southmoreland's lead to 5-4.

Matheny worked a perfect fourth inning before she and the Scotties (9-7) walked between the raindrops from the fifth through the seventh. In that span, Freeport left five runners on base, including three in scoring position.

The 'Jackets (13-1) got back-to-back one-out singles from DeJidas and Claire Crytzer in the fifth before Matheny struck out Maya Borghol and Emily Schmidt to end the inning.

In the sixth, Freeport stranded a runner at second base due in large part to a standout play from Southmoreland catcher Lexi Klatt.

With one out and Jenna Hildebrand on second base, Freeport's Madison Wagner got just enough of her bat on a pitch to pop the ball up right in front of home plate. The ball never gained much height and was falling quickly toward the turf when Klatt jumped from behind the plate, made a diving catch and, most impressively, held onto the ball after landing on the ground. Matheny then struck out Ashleigh Schmidt to close the door to the inning.

“She gives that kind of effort consistently,” Scotties' coach Todd Bunner said of Klatt. “That's why she is one of our captains.”

The 'Jackets really put the heat on Matheny in the seventh. She issued a one-out walk to DeJidas, then surrendered a single to Crytzer to place runners at first and second.

Borghol hit a shallow fly ball to center field. Southmoreland's Bethany Bunner raced in and got a glove on the ball, which dropped to the ground. But knowing the situation, Bunner quickly picked the ball up and fired to third base to force out DeJidas.

“She's lucky she made that play or she would've been grounded all summer,” Coach Bunner said, laughing. “I'm just kidding. I'm very happy she was able to follow up and get the out.”

Matheny closed the game with a strikeout of Emily Schmidt. The former finished with seven strikeouts and two walks.

“She tore her meniscus in the first game of the season,” Coach Bunner said of his pitcher. “She's played through it. Her effort today, she's that kind of player. She gives us everything she has.”

Matheny's counterpart, Radvan, allowed one big inning to the Scotties. With the score knotted at 1-1 in the top of the third, Southmoreland's first four batters reached base, including an RBI-single from Faith Miller and an RBI-double from Klatt. Four runs were scored in the half-inning, vaulting the Scotties to a 5-1 lead.

“Athletics are like life,” said Ross. “Sometimes, things are good. Other times, they're so-so. We knew Southmoreland was a really good hitting team coming in. We were hoping that they would hit the ball at people, but they found some gaps.”

Klatt hit a solo home run in the fifth, the final run of the game.

The 'Jackets still have a chance to reach the state playoffs. They will square off against Avonworth, which fell to South Park in the other semifinal, in Tuesday's consolation game. The winner will claim the third and final state playoff berth from the WPIAL.

“This loss today stings because you want to win the WPIAL,” said Ross, “but we need to build the team's confidence back up and get ready to play again.”

Southmoreland 104 010 0 — 6 7 2

Freeport 013 000 0 — 4 8 1

W: Jessica Matheny 7 IP (7K, 2BB). L: Tori Radvan 7 IP (2K, 1BB).

Southmoreland (9-7): Charity Henderson 2-1B 2R, Bethany Bunner R, Faith Miller 1B R 2RBI, Lexi Klatt 2B HR 2R 2RBI, Jessica Matheny RBI, Emily Eutsey RBI, Abbi Fullem 1B 2B

Freeport (13-1): Ashleigh Schmidt 3B R, Tori Radvan RBI, Ally DeJidas 1B HR, Claire Crytzer 3-1B R, Maya Borghol R, Emily Schmidt 2B RBI, Jenna Hildebrand 1B RBI

Tuesday: Freeport vs. Avonworth, WPIAL Class 3A consolation game, TBA