Juniata Valley celebrates one of its 9 runs scored on Thursday. Photo for the Mirror by Roger Kerekes

EBENSBURG — Juniata Valley knocked off top-seeded Conemaugh Valley in the District 6 Class 1A softball semifinals Thursday afternoon in a game that was moved from Johnstown to Central Cambria High School due to weather.

The Lady Hornets beat the Lady Jays in the semifinals for the second straight year, this time 9-4.

Klohie Brown hit two home runs and drove in four for Juniata Valley, which has won five of its last six games after a midseason slump due to some injuries.

“We had to fight through the adversity of the injury bug, but the team never stopped working,” Juniata Valley coach Robbie Hall said. “They just kept working, knowing that they could get through it. And it makes it an even better accomplishment that we made it back to the finals with everyone now healthy. This team is a family that fights for each other.”

Kelsey Ersek added two hits, including a double, and three RBIs for Juniata Valley. Riley Mease also had two hits, and Lexey Smith tripled.

Braelyn Hall, one of the players who fought injuries, started in the circle and pitched four innings, allowing just one unearned run in picking up the win and clinching a PIAA playoff spot for the Lady Hornets for the second year in a row.

Megan Bilak and Ava Schellhammer each had two hits for Conemaugh Valley, which will take on Purchase Line in the District 6 consolation game for the right to play in the state playoffs.

Juniata Valley will take on Claysburg-Kimmel in a rematch of last season’s District 6 Class 1A championship game on Wednesday at a time and place to be determined.

C-K edged the Lady Hornets, 5-4, in last year’s championship.

“We get to face Claysburg in the final,” Hall said. “Last year’s game was a good game, so it should be another good game.”

JUNIATA VALLEY (9): B. Devore p 421, Hall p 321, Ersek ss 422, L. Smith 1b 411, Brown cf 422, Mease c 302, G. Smith 3b 300, Harman lf 301, Houck 2b 300. Totals — 31-9-10.

CONEMAUGH VALLEY (4): Ferguson cf 300, McCleester ss 321, Bilak c 312, Beiter p 301, Poborski lf 401, Toth 3b 401, Dietz 2b 300, Schellhammer 1b 412, Stiffler rf 200, Mason rf 100. Totals — 30-4-8.

SCORE BY INNINGS

Juniata Valley 204 030 0–9 10 1

Conemaugh Valley 100 021 0–4 8 1

E–G. Smith, Poborski. 2B–Schellhammer, McCleester, Ersek. 3B–L. Smith. HR–Brown 2. RBI–Beiter, Toth, Brown 4, Ersek 3, L. Smith. WP–Hall. LP–Poborski. SO–Hall 5, B. Devore 4, Beiter 6, Poborski 2. BB–Hall 3, B. Devore 2, Beiter 3.

Records: Juniata Valley (13-6); Conemaugh Valley (17-5).