EASTON - Pitching and defense is usually a formula that will propel a team to the next level.

After surrendering two runs in the top of the first inning to Pleasant Valley, Easton received dominant pitching from its ace Maegan Kavanagh.The Lady Rovers blanked the Lady Bears after the first frame and earned a 7-2 District 11 Class AAAA quarterfinal round victory on Thursday.Pleasant Valley came out swinging in the first, as Kiersten Griesback and Alyssa Kotzmann had back-to-back doubles. Madison Shaneberger drove in a run during the sequence, but those two early runs were the only that the Bears would manufacture."We came out aggressive in the first inning. Kiersten (Griesback) actually threw a decent game out there today," said Pleasant Valley head coach Steve Caffrey. "We just didn't back her up out in the field. She's kept us in games all season and if we score a few runs here and there, it gave us an opportunity to win a few of them. We didn't have things behind her in the field this year, it was a little tough."After committing three errors during Tuesday's win over Stroudsburg, Caffrey's squad had six more errors during the loss to Easton. Playing the field wasn't easy against the Rovers' flexible lineup, which includes a handful of lefty-slapping speedsters. Easton had numerous infield singles and bunts to reach base."It's tremendous to have that (type of lineup)," explained Easton head coach Edward McIntyre. "Speed doesn't really go into a slump too often. When we're healthy, we have three slappers and three power-hitters a real good balance. We've inserted another lefty into the lineup for defensive purposes. It gives them an opportunity to get into some playoff games, and they all handle the bat very well."Kavanagh got most of her run support from Maddie McConnell who finished with three hits and three RBIs at the top of the Rovers lineup."Maddie (McConnell) is one of those lefty (slappers)," explained McIntyre. "We've been working with her for a few years. She finally bought into the fact that she's much more effective from the left side. She was a right-handed hitter when she came in, as recent as last year. This year she came on board and utilized her speed. Now she trusts her full swing also as she's only a junior."The Easton ace didn't need any more run support than what McConnell provided.After the first inning, Kavanagh allowed just four base runners, including a stretch of sitting down 11 batters in a row during the midst of the game.The Easton pitcher tossed a complete game, striking out seven and walking just one during the victory.The Easton coach said, "She (Kavanagh) had a little problem adjusting to the strike zone in the first inning. We didn't make too many good plays behind her, but we got through it. She settled in, recognized the strike zone and ended up hitting her spots much better."Pleasant Valley actually had the tying run at the plate in the sixth inning, but Kavanagh worked out of the slight jam without a blemish on the scoreboard.Caffrey said, "We've played these teams before and we know what we're up against. Today we just didn't play a decent game at all. This group never once gave up and they always play until the very end.Easton will now face Northampton, a winner over Pottsville yesterday.Pleasant Vy. 200 000 0 - 2 5 6Easton 213 001 x - 7 11 2Griesback and Hill; Kavanagh and Dehart. W - Kavanagh. L - Griesback.