POTSDAM -- Katie Karkoski beat the heat and St. Lawrence Central Monday afternoon.

The sophomore pitcher never wavered in the 93-degree heat. Indeed, she finished strong, needing to strike out four batters in the last inning to secure a 1-0 victory for Ticonderoga in the first round of the state Class C playoffs in softball.

The win puts the Sentinels (20-2) in the quarterfinals against Mechanicville of Section II. The game will be Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Plattsburgh State softball complex. Mechanicville defeated Duanesburg 6-0 to win the Section II CC-C championship.

"With the conditions the way they were, she (Karkoski) threw the ball really well," Ticonderoga Assistant Coach Shelly Young said. "I think she threw her best that last inning."

A dropped third strike gave St. Lawrence Central added life in the seventh; however, Karkoski dug down for her fourth strikeout of the inning and seventh of the game. She walked only two.

Karkoski also accounted for the only run. She drew a base on balls in the sixth, stole second and moved to third on Anna Besson's sacrifice bunt. Arielle Vilardo followed with a dribbler in front of the plate. Karkoski went halfway down the line and when the catcher threw to first, she raced home to score the eventual game-winner.

"Defensively our kids played outstanding," Young added. "Alix Olcott made a nice catch in left field late in the game."

Ticonderoga 1, St. Lawrence 0

Ticonderoga 000 001 0 -- 1 3 1

St. Lawrence 000 000 0 -- 0 4 5

Karkoski and Vilardo. S. Thayer and Roy. WP- Karkoski. LP- S. Thayer. 2b- Soller (SLC), Arquiett (SLC).