Central Mountain softball wins tenth straight; slams Danville 16-1

By Tom Elling

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP,.PA – After a two-week layoff, Coach Fred Caldwell didn’t know what to expect from his Lady Wildcat softball team on Tuesday. In fact, he said he was ‘worried and concerned’ how his team would react.

His concern turned to relief, then to joy as his team put up five runs in the bottom of the first after his ace Adalyn McKeague set the visiting Ironwomen down 1-2-3. Two of those via strike-out and the third a soft popup to the pitcher herself.

The ‘Cats would go on to add six more in the second; two in the third and four in the fourth to take a 15-run rule win (16-1). to give the team their eleventh win against two early-season losses.

McKeague recorded her 10th win of the season against a single loss. She struck out seven, while walking just one. She gave up two hits- one a solo HR by Dejah Jones. She also recorded her 100th strike out for the season.

The defense was almost flawless.

At the plate, EVERY position scored at least one run , and every batter sans one knocked in at least one run.

Kaitlyn Bowman kept her average at .500 with a 2-4 night, including a double; Madisyn Wian was 3-4 with a two-run HR.; Madison Hardy was 2-3 with a solo HR; Harley Kunes was 3-4 with a double; Allison Lininger was 2-2; Kelsey Burrow was 2-4un double to close out the barrage; Sophie Mitchell had an RBI SF and was hit by a pitch; Taylor Wahlers had an RBI double; Haleigh Peters had a single and an RBI. Finally sub Audrey Walker added a hit.  The team pounded 17 hits.

Caldwell was especially pleased with the aggressive base running by his team. “We’ve spent a lot of time recently on that aspect of the game. It has paid off. “

Game Note: prior to the game catcher Gracie Saar suffered a minor injury that had Coach Caldwell doing some last minute line-up and position switches. He told us post-game that he is always a bit edgy when he moves a player to a different position. Not to worry, Bowman went behind the plate and even nailed a would-be stolen base runner. (Saar is reported to be fine and should play this Thursday at North Penn Liberty).