Clinton 12-U dominate WALL to take District 12 Title

By Tom Elling

WILLIAMSPORT, PA -It was the theme of two-out lightning for the girls of summer as the Clinton team scored all of their 17 runs after two were out. The 17-0 win over Williamsport Area Tuesday evening earned Clinton the district crown.

Clinton lefty pitcher Camdyn Weaver began the game in the circle and pitched a scoreless first inning, whiffling three of the four batters she faced having walked Brielle Thorton.

In the bottom of the first, after two strikeouts by Williamsport’s Jenna Houseknect, Camdyn Weaver looped a single to short center. Clean-up hitter Mallory Wunder followed plating Weaver with a sharp liner to the fence in center and moving up a base on a passed ball and scoring easily on a second PB. After a base-on-balls, Houseknect recorded her third strikeout. Clinton lead 2-0. It appeared at that the game might be a pitcher’s duel.

Weaver continued her mastery using her fastball to again strike out the side. However, in the inning, she did issue a walk and gave up a seldom-occurring base hit on catcher’s interference.

To say that the bottom of the second was disastrous for the Billtown ladies would be a vast understatement. After walking Aubrey Miller to lead off the inning, Houseknect got a ground-out and another ‘K.’ That was when the proverbial wheels came off. Clinton sent 19 (YES, 19) batters to the plate. The barrage included four hits, 8 walks, 2 batters hit by pitch and a myriad of fielding miscues, including several passed balls and wild pitches. When the cool, pleasant dust had settled, Clinton had added 15 more runs to lead 17-0.

Needing just three outs, manager Shawn Weaver called on one of his other aces, Maesyn Franquet, who whiffed all three batters she faced to close the door and give the Clintonettes a 3-inning 17-0 whitewash.

The pitching was outstanding with all outs recorded via strikeout. The hitting was adequate with the batters being patient, yet aggressive. That oxymoron was affirmed by Coach Weaver as he allowed his batters the freedom to swing on several 3-0 counts.

“Our girls are battlers,” Weaver mused. “We had good approaches at the plate. This team could be even better than last year’s (who went on to lose only to the state finalist). We have four quality pitchers, a good defense and hitters up and down the lineup. Our goal is to be playing deep into August. We feel we’re as good as anyone in Pennsylvania.”

The District 12 Champions were just one of three teams competing for the title, but Weaver knows there will be more difficult challenges ahead, starting with the next one in Towanda next week.

Extra Innings:

Every player for Clinton scored at least one run.

Mallory Wunder was two-for-two- both RBI-producing doubles.

Camdyn Weaver (the only lefty on the team) also added a two-for-two evening with an RBI.

Reagan Weaver and Karson Zidick added singles.

The team has speed and daring, never hesitating to take a base on a passed ball.

Aubrey Miller went to the plate three times in the second inning.

Clinton next travels to Towanda for sectional play next week- date, time and opponent to be announced.

Shawn Weaver is assisted by Phil Williams and Brooke Williams (no relation).