Clinton Downs Towanda 15-3 for the Section 3 Crown

AdminJuly 7, 2019Last Updated: July 7, 2019

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LOCK HAVEN – The Clinton Junior All-Stars went to work early and came away with a decisive 15-3 win over Towanda to capture the Section 3 title and a berth in the state championship tournament.

After falling to 5-4 in a tight rain-shortened game 2 of the Section 3 series, Clinton was eager to right their ship and put up some runs early. That they did.

After retiring Towanda in order in the top of the first inning, Clinton sent 15 batters to the plate and came away with 10 runs.

Hana Styers, Claire Long and Audrey Walker had back-to-back-to-back singles to get things rolling for Clinton. Then it was a walk for Kelsey Burrows, then four consecutive singles for Delaney Cohen, Adalyn McKeague, Julia Schubach and Madi Toner. With two outs on the board, Long and Walker had their second base hits of the inning. Maddie Hardy would reach base on an error and Burrows hit a single to close out the scoring, giving Clinton a very comfortable 10-0 lead.

Clinton added 2 more runs to their cause in the bottom of the third inning with Walker taking advantage of another Towanda error, a base on balls for Hardy and another base hit from Burrows to push Clinton further out in front, 12-0.

Towanda was down but not out taking advantage of a couple of Clinton miscues and a base hit to take away the shutout, though, the Bradford County crew still trailed, 12-1.

Toner would lead off for Clinton in the fourth inning with a base hit followed by a triple from Styers, a single from Bree Weaver, walks for Walker and Hardy. Then a couple of fielder’s choice plays later, Clinton had a 15-1 advantage.

Towanda would put up two more runs in the fifth inning using a couple of base hits and solid base running, though, the valiant effort would fall short of any late game heroics ending the game under the 10-run rule after 5 innings.

In all, Clinton had 15 hits in the game with Styers, Long, Walker, Burrows, McKeague, and Toner recording 2 hits each. Burrows had 2 RBI while Walker and McKeague had 2 RBI each.

Walker had 3 stolen bases for Clinton followed by Hardy and Long with 2 each, Burrows, Styers and Weaver with 1 each.

McKeague had another solid performance in the circle for Clinton, pitching all five innings allowing only 4 hits, no walks, striking out 7 Towanda batters.

With the win, Clinton advanced to the Pennsylvania Junior Softball Little League State Championship to be held at Bar-Vaugn Park in Berwick, July 11-16.