CHURCHILL — A sluggish start put Freeport in an early hole against Greensburg Central Catholic.

A late three-run homer from Julia Lang buried the Yellowjackets.

The Centurions cruised to a 9-1 victory over Freeport on Tuesday in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA softball playoffs at Woodland Hills High School.

Greensburg (11-4) plated three unearned runs in a four-run first inning and broke it open with a four-run outburst in the top of the sixth, capped by Lang's three-run blast to right field.

Freeport (11-7) produced 10 or more runs in 10 games this season, but GCC pitcher Nikki Adisey struck out eight and scattered eight hits over seven innings.

Greensburg coach Tom Appleby — filling in for absent head coach Gary Ciarimboli, who had family obligations — was pleased with his pitcher's performance.

“Nikki pitched a terrific game today,” he said. “She had one bad pitch, maybe.”

The “bad pitch” was thrown to her counterpart in the circle, Alyssa Meta, who led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to right field.

“They have some big bats,” said Appleby of Freeport. “That was a concern for us coming in today, but I think Nikki held them in check pretty well.”

Freeport allowed the game's first four batters to score.

Meta and the Yellowjackets could have escaped the frame with a 2-0 deficit, but Katie Hickey and Kristin Hickey scored on the same wild pitch. The latter motored home once the ball started to trickle up the first-base line following the initial play at the plate.

“We try to do that when we can,” said Appleby. “Whenever we think we have an opportunity to take a base, we'll take it.”

The poor first frame wasn't uncharacteristic for Freeport.

“No matter who we play, we have a couple slow innings right off the get-go,” said Freeport coach Sam Ross. “You can't do that against a playoff team. You have to come out strong and finish strong.

“We came out slow, mishandled a couple of balls and in a playoff game that matters a whole lot.”

Freeport advanced a runner to second in four consecutive innings, but didn't touch third base until Meta's solo shot to start the sixth.

“You have to put hits together and we didn't do that,” noted Ross.

Carolyn Appleby and Adisey — the first two hitters in the GCC order — were a combined 7-for-10 with four runs scored.

The strong offensive effort from Greensburg was matched by a flawless defensive outing.

“We preach that if you keep the errors down, you're going to win ballgames,” said Appleby. “Every time you give up errors, you're making your pitcher throw more and you're giving up that extra 60 feet.”

Karlie Hill, who doubled and singled, was the only Yellowjacket with multiple hits. Freeport catcher Emily Lindsey — batting .520 on the season — was unavailable to play.

Lindsey, Meta, Ashley Sample and Taylor Massart represented Freeport's senior class.

“They're all four-year letterwinners. They've made a lot of all-star teams and they've really set the precedence for the program,” said Ross. “Hopefully, the younger girls realize that's how you have to play if you want to be in the playoffs every year.

“Those seniors are going to be missed,” he added. “They're not only good ballplayers, but good girls.”

Greensburg CC 400 014 0 — 9 12 0

Freeport 000 001 0 — 1 8 4

W: Nikki Adisey 7 IP (8K, 2BB). L: Alyssa Meta 7 IP (7K, 3BB).

Greensburg Central Catholic (11-4): Carolyn Appleby 3-1B, 2-R; Nikki Adisey 2B, 2-1B, 2-R, RBI; Katie Hickey 2B, 2-R; Kristin Hickey 1B, R, RBI; Julia Lang HR, 2-R, 3-RBI; Marina Kosor 2-1B; Emma Taorimo RBI

Freeport (11-7): Ashley Sample 1B; Alyssa Meta HR, R, RBI; Karlie Hill 2B, 1B; Jess Kelley 1B; Alyssa Ravotti 1B; Julianne Marriotti 1B; Angela Hewitt 1B