CM softball takes opener over P-O, 20-4

PHILIPSBURG, PA -It was a very cold windy day in Philipsburg on Thursday but the Central Mountain Wildcat softball bats were hot, Coach Fred Caldwell’s squad opening the season with a resounding 20-4 win over Philipsburg-Osceola.

After a scoreless first inning, the Philipsburg-Osecola Mounties took a one nothing lead in the second inning on a single, back to back sac bunts and an RBI single, but it would be a short lived lead for Philipsburg.

The Central Mountain bats heated up in the top of the third inning sparked by a leadoff single by Kelsey Burrows, followed by a beautiful sacrifice bunt laid down by Taylor Wahlers. The Wildcats sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning, scoring eight runs on six hits including a three run home run off the bat of senior Gracie Saar.

Wildcat pitcher Addie McKeague shut P.O. down in the bottom of the third and the Wildcats stayed hot at the plate, scoring seven more runs on three walks and four hits including another three run home run, this time off the bat of sophomore Katelyn Bowman.

The game ended after five innings with the final score of 20-4.

McKeague pitched all five innings for the Wildcats and allowed three earned runs on six hits with eight strike outs and two walks.

Bowman led the way at the plate with four hits, including a single, two doubles and a home run. She drove in five runs. Saar ended the day with a double and a home run and she also had five RBIs. Madison Hardy, Madisyn Wian and Kelsey Burrows each had two hits with Allison Lininger, Sophie Mitchell, Joslyn Schultz and Audry Walker chipping in one each.

The Lady Wildcats return to action on Monday with an away game at Mifflin County.