Central Mountain Drops a Close ‘Redemption’ Game to Penn-Trafford, 3-2.

By Tom Elling

MILL HALL- They say that great athletes and great teams have a short memory. That adage generaly applies to ‘forgetting’ a previous negative result. But for P-T head coach Dennis Little, his team’s spanking by Central Mountain last year had worn on his mind.

“Last year our pitcher (Allyson Paulone) didn’t make it out of the first inning in the loss to the Lady Wildcats. This year she had redemption.”

“Paulone just had a rough start last year giving up four walks and a hit before we had to relieve her. But this year she has put it all together and threw a great game against a very tough opponent.”

Indeed she did, allowing just three Wildcat hits- striking out 7 and walking none. “She has been steady for us all year long, losing a heartbreaker in the WPIAL finals last week to Shaler (2-1) in eleven innings.”

Describing his team as ‘known for our hitting’, they lived up to that billing scoring (as it turned out) all the runs they’d need in the top of the first. Cam Ponko and Bell Rubbe hit back-to-back singles, followed by a ringing double off the bat by Giulianna Youngo. That plated Ponko. Kylie Anthony hit a slow roller that CM pitcher Camdyn Weaver fielded and threw into the dirt. A great play by Cora Myers at first, got the out, but Lorryn Sepe knocked a single to center to plate Youngo. Three runs on four hits and it looked like the start of a total mismatch. CM pitcher Weaver allowed just four singles and no runs after that inning.

The Wildcats made the most of their three hits. Cora Myers ripped a two-out RBI single to center in the bottom of the first scoring Katelyn Bowman, who had previously doubled. 

Central Mountain closed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the third. Ava Doyle bunted safely and was moved to second on a Aubry Eiler sacrifice bunt. Cirstyn Watson sliced a double to right to score Doyle and Katelyn Bowman got aboard on an error. She stole second but was stranded as Paulone got the next two outs. She followed that by retiring the next twelve in a row.

First year head coach Taylor Thompson praised her team. “We had a super season. I can’t complain. We were in this one and could have won, but credit Penn-Trafford and their pitcher. They are a talented, well-coached team.”

“Our defense was solid. (Cora) Myers and (Taylor) Doyle made exceptional plays defensively and Cam pitched a solid game. She has a way of adjusting mentally and bearing down when things get tough. She has the drive a great player needs.”

Tha Lady ‘Cats finish 15-2 for the season. While they will lose a lot from this year’s squad, the cupboard isn’t bare. Some will play travel ball and some will take some time off, but don’t sell next year’s team short.

The line:

P-T:  3 0 0  0 0 0  0  3-8-1

CM: 1 0 1   0 0 0  0  2-3-2