Lady Wildcats Break Out Bats, Break Losing Skid

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Saddled with an uncharacteristic three game losing streak, the Central Mountain softball team broke the skid in a big way, pulling away from visiting Shikellamy late to post a 15-5 six inning win. The Thursday win put the Lady Wildcats at 3-4 overall and 2-2 in Heartland Conference play.

Sophomore Alyssa Fisher was the headline maker. Fisher had 4 hits in 14 bats entering the contest. She doubled her seasonal hit total with a 4-for-4 plate performance, three singles and a double. Her third single came in the bottom of the fifth in a 5-5 game at the time. It drove in runs six and seven and CM never looked back.

Fisher was strong in the circle also. She took over for starter Maddi Knepp in the top of the fifth and retired all six Shik batters she faced to pick up the win. Fisher was backed by strong defense, including a diving grab of a line drive by centerfielder Morgan Wetzel. Head coach Fred Caldwell said Fisher did well pitching, noting the Lady Wildcats rely on team defense to be successful; they played errorless ball Thursday.

Central Mountain finished with 15 hits, in addition to the season-high 15 runs. Caitlyn Watson had two singles and two RBIs, Wetzel with a triple, two singles and three runs batted in. Bailee Renninger put up two singles, Autumn Dershem with a single, double and three RBIs. Kylee Wagner chipped in with a 2-RBI double in the team’s 8-run sixth inning and Jenn Skow ended the game on the 10-run rule, driving in Wetzel with the final run on a long single.

A pleased Lady Wildcat coach Caldwell said he liked the outcome, stating, “We took a step today; we’re still not there yet in hitting, it was better, but there is a long way to go.” He said the team’s Wednesday practice was the best of the season and the coaching staff was optimistic entering the Shikellamy game. The Lady Braves fell to 1-6 overall, 0-4 in the Heartland.

Central Mountain is scheduled to play at State College (2-3) Friday, game time 7 p.m., the jayvee contest set for 5 p.m.