Lady ‘Cats Prevail over Danville 2-1

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – It came down to the last inning and once again, Central Mountain found a way to win, edging visiting Danville 2-1 with a walk-off single from Sarah Reeder to score fellow senior, Emily Strouse for the win to celebrate Senior night for the hosts.

Danville kept the Lady ‘Cat bats mostly silent until the last two innings. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the sixth, head coach Dave Peters sent in Megan Miller to pinch hit and like so many times before this season, Miller laid down a bunt and beat out the throw for a base hit.

Then after Josie Dershem fouled out, Madison Brown stepped in to pound out a base hit to advance Miller. Now with two runners on, Skylar Smith hammered out a hit to get on base and score Miller to tie the game and coach Peters sent Brown home in hopes she would beat the throw from the outfield but Danville’s Ashley Brent made a good catch and tag on Brown to end the scoring.

In the top of the seventh, the Central Mountain defense stiffened retiring Danville in order.

First up in the bottom of the seventh was Emily Strouse for CM who collected a quick two strikes in the count then drove the ball to centerfield. It appeared to be an easily played ball, then some good fortune came for the Lady Wildcats as the ball bounced out of the defender’s glove allowing a very pleased and surprised Strouse to reach first safely.

Then Caitlyn Brush came to bat and laid down a nicely played sacrifice bunt to move Strouse into scoring position. Senior, Sara Reeder stepped into the batter’s box next, who had been struggling a little lately and proceeded to take a full count then made contact with a pitch that had just enough momentum to carry through the gap between short and second for a walk-off single to score Strouse and seal the win for Central Mountain with the 2-1 final score.

“It’s been our creed all year to persevere and it’s given us the edge that we are now 6-1 in one-run games,” said coach Peters after the late inning win, “I appreciate our ladies’ effort to stay in the game mentally, laying down bunts … running out routine fly balls and ending up safe at first. Those are all the little things we preach and it is very good to see them to continue to do those things late in the year.”

“I’m really glad for Sarah Reeder,” pointed out Peters, “She’s been hitting the ball so hard and it seems like every time she does, it goes right to a defender. I know she was frustrated over the weekend and she put in a lot of extra work with her Dad helping her out. For a senior to step up in that situation and face the pressure it’s kinda what you’re looking for on senior night in that situation.”

“This is a great group of Seniors who have had a fantastic year,” commented Peters on his veterans, “I’m really proud to see tham all going onto college and further educating themselves, not just as athletes.”

Brush went the distance in the circle giving up just 4 hits, one walk and had a strikeout to her credit.

Central Mountain honored six seniors, Kimmel Coder, Sarah Reeder, Alexis Johnson, Madison Brown Loren Morsco and Emily Strouse and their families for their contributions to Lady Wildcat softball in pregame ceremonies.

The Lady Wildcats next host Shamokin, Tuesday, May 3, 2016.

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