Lady Wildcats have used the power game to reach state semifinals
By Bees O’Brien
MILL HALL- On Thursday, Central Mountain would once again use their power game to down another District 7 softball powerhouse. Freshman Camdyn Weaver and senior Harley Kunes would strike in their 4-1 quarterfinal victory over favored Armstrong, 4-1.
Weaver’s solo shot in the second inning was her second home run in as many games. Kunes’ 3-run shot following Weaver’s bomb was the only runs the Lady Wildcats would need to hold off the Lady River Hawks, on their way to the semifinals with a 4-1 victory.
Now another WPIAL team stands in Central Mountain’s way to a spot in the PIAA 5A Championship at Penn State’s Beard Field.
Thomas Jefferson will be the Lady Wildcats’ next opponents on Monday, June 10 at Mount Aloysius College at 4:30p.m.
How They Got Here- Central Mountain has been rolling since the postseason began. CM has defeated Hollidaysburg and DuBois just to get into the 5A field of 32. They have since handled both Penn-Trafford and WPIAL Champions Armstrong. Now it’ll be the second place WPIAL finishers Thomas Jefferson that will provide the opposition.
The Lady Jaguars have been battling in the postseason. They dropped the WPIAL title game to Armstrong, 9-3. A 17-4 romp over Solanco and a narrow 3-1 win over West Chester East has TJ one win away from Penn State.
Key Players- Central Mountain would receive a total team effort through the first two rounds of the 5A playoffs and you can expect the same against Thomas Jefferson. The Lady Wildcats defense, especially outfielders Madisyn Wian, Camdyn Weaver and Taylor Doyle were huge against Armstrong. Senior pitcher Adalynn McKeague benefitted from an excellent defensive effort. Weaver and Wian combined for 3 of Central Mountain’s 8 hits. Harley Kunes connected on 2 hits, including her big 3-run home run in the second inning.
Pitcher Aubrey Shaffer allowed just 1 run for Thomas Jefferson in the WC East win. She would fan 7 batters while only allowing 3 walks for the 14-8 Lady Jaguars.
Addi Bracco connected on a double in the quarterfinal win and Morgan Alisesky produced a pair of hits to get TJ to the semifinals.
Keys to the game- Both teams appear to be even on paper and this could be a coin toss. The team that makes the less mistakes in the field will come out on top.
What’s Next- A date in the PIAA 5A Championship awaits the winners of this battle. Shippensburg and South Western’s quarterfinal contest was moved to Friday due to weather conditions. The winner of that game will meet an 18-1 Pittston team that is extremely dangerous.
