One of St. Aloysius’ youngest players is emerging as a breakout star in the 2015 playoffs.

Seventh-grader Stephanie Schoonover went 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, and also turned in a strong effort in the pitcher’s circle to lead the Lady Flashes to a 9-2 series-clinching win over Ethel on Friday.

Schoonover came within one out of a no-hitter in Game 1 on Thursday. Twenty-four hours later she allowed eight hits, but only two runs and one walk. She struck out five.

Her teammates backed her with plenty of offense. They scored twice in the fourth and fifth innings and three times in the seventh to steadily pull ahead after falling behind 2-1 in the first.

Michelle Howington went 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored, and Jordan McDonald had two hits and drove in a run.

The Lady Flashes (9-7-1) had 12 hits in all. Six players drove in a run and six scored at least one.

“We hit when we needed to hit, when we had runners on. Collectively, we played well offensively and defensively,” St. Al coach Candice Reeder said. “Everybody today was on. (Thursday) we scored on their errors, and today we hit the ball.”

St. Al advanced to the first round of the Class 1A playoffs, where it’ll face Salem.

Game 1 of the best-of-three series is Monday at 6 p.m. at Bazinsky Park. Games 2 and 3 — if it’s necessary — are set to be played as a doubleheader Tuesday at 5 and 7 p.m. at Salem.

“I think the girls proved a lot to themselves,” Reeder said. “They proved if we don’t get too uptight we can go against anybody. We have a lot of confidence going into Salem.”