BUCYRUS — The Carey Lady Blue Devils epitomize the saying, “The third time’s a charm.”

Carey played eventual Northern 10 Athletic Conference softball champions, the Bucyrus Lady Redmen, on even terms during the regular season before losing both — 4-3 at Carey and 6-5 at Bucyrus.

So, it was not surprising that the Blue Devils decided to play the Redmen in the sectional tournament and it proved to be a good choice.

Bucyrus starter Caleigh Rister and Carey pitcher Kenzie Simons battled through five scoreless innings. The Blue Devils finally broke through for three runs — two unearned — in the sixth inning for the only runs of the game to upset the Redmen, 3-0, in the opening round of the Division III sectional tournament at Jack Hewitt Field.

“We played them close twice. We lost by one both games regular season,” Carey coach Teresa Gillig said. “So, we thought we’d have a great chance hopefully playing them to make it on to the next game of the tournament.”

Prophecy fulfilled. Simons danced around trouble all afternoon, completing the shutout of the potent Bucyrus (16-4) offense despite walking five and being touched for six hits. The Redmen stranded 10 base runners on the day.

Simons made pitches when she had to and her defense supported her up, making several spectacular plays, especially in the outfield, to keep the Redmen off the board.

“(Carey) played a great game,” Bucyrus coach Jerry Hargis said. “They made some outfield plays that we might have scored some runs on. But they played real good.”

The best chance for Bucyrus to score came in he third when they got runners to second and third with one out. But Simons was equal to the task by fanning the next two batters to end the threat. The Redmen left at least one runner in every inning.

The pivotal sixth inning for Carey (10-12) started with one out. Hunter Hart was safe on an error, then stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Carmen Conigy bunted and was safe at first when Bucyrus got Hart in a run-down, but she was able to scramble back to third.

Lexia Clinger then doubled over the head of the left fielder which brough Hart and Conigy home. Clinger moved to third on a single by Simons and scored on a ground out by Kyla Orians.

“They were playing their heart out tonight, making good plays,” Gillig said. “Outfield play was great. We just kept picking each other up. Lex came up with the clutch hit when we needed it. Momentum was in her favor.”

Rister deserved a better fate. The senior right-hander leads the league with a 1.00 earned run average and has walked only seven batters all season. She struck out 13 Blue Devils and walked none while allowing only three hits.

“I feel sorry for our seniors,” Hargis said. “They’ve contributed so much to the program. Great group of kids. Where am I going to get another pitcher like (Caleigh)? Good luck to her and good luck to the rest of the girls.”

“She’s a great pitcher. She’s one of the best pitchers in the league,” Gillig said of Rister. “Tonight, we had the hits when we needed them.”

In addition to Clinger’s double and Simons’ single in the sixth, Conigy had the only other hit, a single with one out in the first for the Blue Devils. Simons had eight strikeouts to go with her five walks.

Addy Rister singled twice, while Haley Dye, Caleigh Rister, Taisha Spears, and Faith Schifer for the Redmen.

“We didn’t play as well defensively and we certainly didn’t play was well offensively,” Hargis said. “We didn’t hit the ball the way we’re capable of doing. But these are kids, it’s a game and things like this happen.”

Carey advances to the sectional final where they will take on No. 2 seed Edison at Milan on Friday.

“They’re quick. They’re fast runners, especially at the top of their order,” Gillig said of Bucyrus. “We had the top of the order in the seventh inning. We were just trying to keep them off the bases. They just hit it right to our defense and it worked out.”

Not all is lost for the Redmen. With a win in their final regular season game, they can clinch an N10 softball title.

“It’s been a fun season up until now,” Hargis said. “We’ve got one game left at Buckeye (Central). It’s been a fun year. I’ve enjoyed it.”

Box score

Carey        000 003 0         3       3       0

Bucyrus   000 000 0         0       6       2

WP: Kenzie Simons (8 SO, 5 W)

LP: Caleigh Rister (13 SO, 0 W)

HR: None.

Triples: None.

Doubles: (C) Lexia Clinger.

Multiple hits: (B) Addy Rister.

Records: Carey 10-12; Bucyrus 16-4.

Next: Carey at Milan Edison, Friday; Bucyrus at Buckeye Central, Saturday.