CHICORA — Grandpa knows best.

Inspired by her grandfather to become a pitcher six years ago, Karns City sophomore Lauren Downs tossed a three-hitter Tuesday to lead the Gremlins to a 2-0 District 9 Class AA softball victory over Brookville.

"My grandfather (Joe McElravy) was a fast-pitch pitcher for a long time, pitched in tournaments and all that," Downs said. "He made me want to become a pitcher. He's worked with me. ... He still works with me."

McElravy was on hand Tuesday as Downs recorded her first shutout of the season.

"Lauren was outstanding and we needed her to be," KC coach Mike Simpson said. "We didn't give her very much offense. Fortunately, she didn't need much.

"She was putting her pitches right where we wanted her to. Her control was nearly perfect."

Downs didn't walk a batter and faced only three hitters above the minimum. She provided the first run of the game in the third inning, drilling a leadoff triple to deep left to begin the frame.

With one out, Downs broke for the plate after Breezzie Rich's grounder caromed away from Brookville pitcher Brienne Dietrich. She barely beat the throw to the plate.

"If I think I'm gonna make it, I'm gonna go," Downs said. "The play turned out to be closer than I thought."

Dietrich, who absorbed the loss, struck out seven and allowed only four hits. She pitched out of a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the first by recording two strikeouts and inducing a pop fly to the shortstop.

Karns City's other run was a solo inside-the-park home run by Brooke Hiles in the sixth.

"That was a big run. It made us all breathe a little easier," Simpson said.

Except for Downs — she felt fine all along.

"I love pitching in pressure games like this," she said. "It's weird, I guess, but I feel more confident. I have a lot of faith in my team."

Brookville got only one runner as far as second base: Kirsten Gorden, who singled to left with one out in the fourth and moved up on a passed ball.

The Raiders defeated Karns City 7-0 during the regular season.

"This was a frustrating game for us," Brookville coach Mike Rakovan said. "We usually hit the ball much better than this. We had trouble timing up (Downs') pitches today."

Brookville hitters drilled numerous pitches foul down the left field line.

Simpson said the Gremlins committed seven errors in their regular season loss to Brookville.

"We committed 25 errors in our first six games," he said. "It was a nightmare. We've since moved girls around, have them in positions they feel comfortable in and we've been playing much better.

"Defense has been the biggest difference in our games lately."

Karns City travels to Cranberry, which received a first-round bye, for a district semifinal game at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Cranberry defeated the Gremlins 10-0 in the regular season.

Brookville 000 000 0 — 0 3 2Karns City 001 001 x — 2 4 1W: Lauren Downs 7 IP (6K, 0BB).

L: Brienne Dietrich 6 IP (7K, 1BB).

Brookville (6-12): Kelsey Heinrick 1B, Kirsten Gorden 1B, Brienne Dietrich 1B

Karns City (9-9): Breezzie Rich 1B RBI, Sarah Young 1B, Lauren Downs 3B, Brooke Hiles HR

Thursday: District 9 Class AA semifinal: Karns City at Cranberry