Karly Kaufman scattered nine hits, but tossed a complete game with seven strikeouts and one walk as the A-C Valley softball team defeated Otto-Eldred 9-7 in the District 9 Class A playoffs Monday.

The game marked the Falcons' first playoff win in the program's five-year history. The team qualified for the postseason last year, but lost in the first round.

"This win legitimizes A-C Valley as having a softball program," said Falcons coach Lane Larimore. "We're not a pushover like other sports in the past. We are there to compete."

The game was tighter than the score appeared as No. 9 seeded Otto-Eldred scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning and all of its runs were unearned. The No. 8-seeded Falcons (12-4) had used a five-run sixth inning to take a commanding 9-1 lead.

After the Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Otto-Eldred's Cassie Cochran opened the second inning by flying out to left fielder Lauren Snyder.

It may have seemed like a fly out, but Larimore saw it as more.

"Lauren Snyder made a nice running catch in deep left with her back to the infield," said Larimore. "That showed at the beginning we will play defense. Our girls have been resilient and tough. They kept chipping away.

"It was a total team effort," Larimore added.

With the win, the Falcons will travel to face top-seeded Coudersport on Wednesday.

Otto-Eldred 000 100 6 — 7 9 4A-C Valley 102 015 x — 9 10 3W: Karly Kaufman (7 IP) 7 K, 1 BB.

L: Taylor (6 IP) 8 K, 5 BB.

Otto-Eldred: Jordan Beckwith 2-2B, 1B, 3 RBI, 2 R; Cassie Cochran 2-1B, RBI; Jessica Veilleux 2-1B, R; Kacey Northrup 1B, RBI, R

A-C Valley (12-4): Shannon Bartley 1B, 2B, 2 RBI; Kaylin Strauser 1B, 2 RBI; Karly Kaufman 2-1B, RBI; Kelli Davis 2-1B, R; Meghan Cratty 1B, 3R; Kelsey Viertel 2R

Wednesday: D-9 Playoffs: A-C Valley at Coudersport