ERIE — Slippery Rock ran into a pretty tough pitcher Monday afternoon in Ellie Lobdell.

But as Rockets' coach Dan Hindman put it, “we have a pretty tough pitcher ourselves.”

Cheyenne Hindman scattered seven hits and struck out nine as Slippery Rock edged Warren, 3-1, to win the first District 10 softball championship in school history at Penn State Behrend.

But it didn't come easily.

“This game turned into a real pitcher's duel,” Coach Huindman said.

The Rockets (17-4) scored twice in the first inning. Macy McCall drew a a walk and scored. A couple of errors helped Slippery Rock push another run across the plate.

Cheyenne Hindman doubled and scored for Slippery Rock in the fifth and the team took a 3-1 lead into the seventh.

“Chey pitched a fantastic game and deserves all the credit in the world,” McCall said. “But we made some nice defensive plays, too ... some big ones.”

One of those was turned in by center fielder Hannah Wilson, who made a running catch for the second out of the final frame.

With two outs and no one on, a single, walk and error loaded the bases for the Dragons (15-6).

Hindman got the next batter to fly out to left fielder Taylor Balint to end the game.

“Taylor's just a sophomore and there was a lot of pressure to catch that ball,” pitcher Hindman said. “I had no doubt she was gonna get it, though. She's a little girl with a lot of fight in her.

“After she caught that ball, it was the greatest feeling in the world. We made history at Slippery Rock High School.”

Coach Hindman said Balint's catch “was not a routine play” to end the game.

“I know it had the coach feeling nervous,” he said.

Lobdell struck out 10 and allowed only three hits, but could not prevent Slippery Rock from winning its 17th straight game. Hindman had two of SR's three hits.

Gracie Wood had a pair of hits in a losing cause for Warren.

“This was all about team chemistry for us,” McCall said. “Losing early in the season to our rival Grove City was rough, then we gave away a game to Jamestown.

“That's when our resolve kicked in. We knew what our goals were and we just focused in on them.”

Pitcher Hindman said the Rockets' team chemistry “definitely got us through this game.”

“We've all been playing ball together since we were little kids.”

Senior starters on the team include Hindman, Brynn Horner, McCall, Wilson and Madalyn Senge.

The Rockets do not return to action until June 4, when they face the third-place team out of the WPIAL in the PIAA Tournament.

“A lot of people have been coming up and thanking me, but it's the players who put all the hard work in,” Coach Hindman said. “This is a tremendous accomplishment by them for their school.

“I'm thrilled we did it, but they are even more thrilled. And they should be.”

Baseball

Grove City 4, Meadville 2 — The Eagles (13-7) claimed the District 10 Class 4A title Monday at Critchfield Park behind the pitching of Logan Minch and Carter Chinn.

Minch pitched the first five innings to get the win, striking out nine. Chinn worked the final two frames for the save, fanning a pair.

Daniel Lucas had a double, single and two RBI for Grove City (13-7). Lance Craig had a pair of singles, Julian Breese a double and RBI.

John Cappellino had a double, two singles and RBI for Meadville (12-5).