Lady Wildcats set to face WPIAL Champions Armstrong in state quarterfinals
By Bees O’Brien
MILL HALL- The Central Mountain Lady Wildcats remained the county’s lone remaining softball team still playing in the PIAA softball playoffs. CM will next meet state power and WPIAL Champions Armstrong on Thursday at 1:30pm.
Armstrong knocked off Central Mountain in the 2022 quarterfinals by a 13-5 count.
How They Got Here- Armstrong stormed through the WPIAL playoffs to claim yet another district title. They defeated Thomas Jefferson to claim that title before downing WPIAL foes Greater Latrobe 13-2 in the PIAA 5A first round of state playoffs.
CM’s path was a bit trickier. The Lady Wildcats had to use a walk off home run in extra innings to down Hollidaysburg to claim a District 6 title. They then had to fend off an aggressive DuBois squad 13-11 at Heindl Memorial Field. CM then steamrolled the District 7 third place team, Penn-Trafford 10-0 to set up the meeting with the Lady River Hawks.
Key Players- Armstrong’s Abby Bauer was highly productive against Greater Latrobe. Bauer went 2 for 3 with 3 runs batted in. Jessie Pugh also collected a pair of hits. Armstrong’s 9-hit day combined with 3 Greater Latrobe errors set the stage for their first round run rule win.
The Lady River Hawks’ starting pitcher Madison Baker gave up 5 hits and one earned run. Baker only managed 2 strike outs in 3 full innings in the circle. The Lady River Hawks can also turn to Rachel Ban in the circle if Baker were to get into trouble.
With an explosive Central Mountain lineup, Armstrong may need all the arms they can find.
Pinch hitter and occasional pitcher Camdyn Weaver launched a home run in round 1 against Penn-Trafford. Weaver along with junior Taylor Doyle could be some lethal weapons in head coach Fred Caldwell’s arsenal on Thursday. Doyle collected 3 hits from the nine hole and turned over that deadly Lady Wildcats’ lineup perfectly.
Cirstyn Watson and Madisyn Wian both had multiple hits in the first round win. Kaitlyn Bowman had a home run in CM’s last game in Heindl and could very well strike again.
Adalynn McKeague simply overpowered Penn-Trafford on Monday by tossing 12 strike outs. Central Mountain will need another strong showing from their senior ace if they want to extend their season and down the tournament favorite Lady River Hawks.
Keys to the game- Another fast start for the Lady Wildcats in a ballpark that they have experience in will be crucial. Armstrong needs to avoid the shock and awe of the Lady Wildcats’ high powered offense, or it could be a rough exit for the Lady River Hawks.
What’s next- The winners of Thursday’s meeting will next face the winners of the Thomas Jefferson versus West Chester East contest, which is also being played Thursday afternoon.
