Central Mountain Edged in PIAA Class 5A Semis

By Tom Elling

CRESSON – Central Mountain led District 7 Runner-Up for most of the game but was unable to close the door on a Cinderella Thomas Jefferson team, as the Lady Jaguars pulled off a 9-8 victory by scoring three in the 6th to take the lead.

The Lady Wildcats exploded for six runs in the top of the second, and the body language of the Jaguars wasn’t good. Madison Hardy led off the second with a slashing double to right. TJ hurler Aubrey Shaffer got the next two batters on a strikeout and a fly to center. The late-season-surging Camdyn Weaver plated Hardy with a double to left. Taylor Doyle followed with an RBI single and stole second. Cirstyn Watson kept the inning going with a drive to left. Coach Fred Caldwell held Doyle at third, which proved prudent when Madisyn Wian slammed her first home run of the season. Harley Kunes followed with a deep shot over the left-field fence. The big inning ended with a strikeout, but the Cats roared to a 6-0 lead.

Starting pitcher Adalynn McKeague had retired the side in order in the first two innings. She was well on her way in the third, getting two quick outs. Number nine hitter Hannah Alonzo singled and reached second on a rare CM error. The next two batters walked, then Zoe Krizan cleared the bases with a 3-2 screamer to the base of the CF fence. McKeague got out of the inning, but TJ knew they were back in the game.

Credit to the ‘Cats for getting a single run in both the fourth and fifth to extend their lead to 8-4. Key hits in those innings were made by Kunes and Hardy. In the bottom of the fifth, TJ exhibited their power with solo shots by Krizan and Alayna Grese. CM was still up by two.

The visitors (CM) went 1-2-3 in the sixth, then once again Thomas Jefferson showed their resilience. With two outs and the bases loaded, Krizan once again delivered. This time an RBI single. Cleanup hitter Morgan Alisesky drove in runs 8 and 9 with her base hit.

The Lady Wildcats, for the first time in the game, trailed. Jaguar pitcher Shaffer was up to the challenge and closed out the game with a ground-out and two fly balls to right.

It was a historic season for Central Mountain softball. No team had ever made the PIAA semis. Coach Caldwell was quick to point that out and also that just a couple of years ago, a Wildcat team had amassed 20 wins.

“Our seniors have set great examples. They were leaders and taught the younger players a lot. They have set the bar high for teams to come. I am very proud of this team.”

The veteran coach also felt the team hit a “lull” after their 6-run explosion in the second inning.

“We just seemed to flatten out after that and it didn’t help that Addie (McKeague) turned her ankle early in the game. I kept asking her if she felt okay. She didn’t want to come out.”

So the loss ended a great run for our hometown team, but all throughout the season, they provided thrills and showed a lot of heart. They came ever so close to being in the state finals. A big tip of the cap to them and their coaches.

Line Score:

CM: 0 6 0 1 1 0 0 — 8 Runs – 9 Hits – 2 Errors

TJ: 0 0 4 0 2 3 x — 9 Runs – 9 Hits – 1 Error

WP: Shaffer LP: McKeague