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SLIPPERY ROCK — One of the biggest clichés in sports is that defense wins games. Well, defense can also lose games.

Cambridge Springs proved that Thursday in the PIAA Class A softball quarterfinals at Slippery Rock University. Using Spa-ball, or playing the short game, the Blue Devils forced Chartiers-Houston into eight errors — three that lead to the final run — for a 4-3, eight-inning win.

The Devils advance to the PIAA Western Final for the first time since 1994 and will play District 9 champion Curwensville (a 7-1 winner Thursday over Vincentian) on Monday at a site to be determined.“No matter who won or lost that game,” said Cambridge head coach Mark McKissock, “that was about as good as it gets for fast-pitch softball right there. Extra innings, small game, base hits, long ball ... It doesn’t get any better than that.”

That was about as good as it gets

The back-and-forth contest took its final turn in the eighth.

With one out, Annie Wilson stepped to the plate already 0-for-3 on the day. Chartiers-Houston put the shift on for the third time, bringing its entire outfield in to the infield. Wilson struck out, but the ball got past the catcher and into the dirt.

Wilson ran for first base and the throw went into the outfield. Because of the shift, however, the ball rolled halfway to the fence, allowing Wilson to reach second despite stumbling and falling over the first base bag. It was a huge base in the end.

Nicole Becker laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Wilson hesitated before breaking for third. Becker was out at first and the first baseman decided to try and get Wilson at third. The throw got by the third baseman, but coach McKissock called Wilson back to third when he saw CH left fielder Jackie Scott in position to field the ball.

Wilson turned, saw Scott bobble the ball and broke home. The throw wasn’t close.

“It was ironic that the one time I didn’t hit the ball in play was the one time I got on (base),” said Wilson. “Softball is just about taking advantage of (the other team’s) mistakes. That’s what we did there.”

Blue Devils’ ace Stephanie Baer said Wilson’s run was the game’s turning point.

“(When Annie scored) we had them rattled and they were unsure, I think,” said Cambridge pitcher Stephanie Baer. “We were at that point in the game earlier when they came back and tied it.”