Central Mountain softball claims another Heartland Conference title, 6-1 over Selinsgrove
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Central Mountain softball team clinched their second consecutive HAC-1 conference title with a solid 6-1 victory over the visiting Selinsgrove Seals Friday evening.
After a scoreless first inning, the Seals were able to score what would be their only run of the game when their #7 batter drew a walk, stole second base and scored on an single through the right side.
The Selinsgrove run in the top of the inning sparked the Wildcats who put up three runs in the bottom of the inning when Kelsey Burrows got a single to left field and Gracie Saar drew a walked to put runners at first and second bases. Josie Schultz then stroked a two RBI double to left field scoring both Burrows and Saar. Two batters later Madisyn Wian came through with a double of her own to plate Schultz for the third run of the inning.
In the third inning, Selinsgrove tried to mount a response with back to back singles putting runners at first and second before Wildcat pitcher Addie McKeague induced a ground ball out to the second baseman Audrey Walker to retire the Seals. Selinsgrove would have no further baserunners for the rest of the game.
In the bottom of the third, Allison Lininger was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on fielder’s choice by Kelsey Burrows. The Selinsgrove defender attempted to get Lininger going to second but the catch was not made and the error put runners at first and second for the Wildcats. Two batters later Audrey Walker came through with a two RBI double scoring Lininger and Burrows.
Neither team scored in the fourth or fifth innings. In the sixth inning Madison Hardy reached first on a single to right field followed by a Harley Kunes single to left field. Kelsey Burrows got the RBI single to score Hardy and set the final score at 6-1.
Selinsgrove went down in order in the top of the seventh to end the game.
Addie McKeague pitched a complete game for the second evening in a row. This time she faced 25 batters and allowed one run on four hits with two walks and eleven strike outs.
With the win, Central Mountain has a 9-1 record in the HAC-1 and claimed the conference title for the second year in a row.
Now 12-3,CM will return to the field on Monday for a Senior Day game against the Lady Lions from State College (8-10).
