PIAA state playoffs start Monday; local teams, local tie-ins aplenty
(Editor’s Note: Monday marks the start of PIAA championship play and three Clinton County schools will be participating: Central Mountain baseball(20-1) hosting Penn-Trafford (15-6) at the Lock Haven University baseball field at 4 p.m., the Bucktail Lady Buck (16-4) playing at 5 p.m. versus Old Forge (17-5) at Scranton University, and the Central Mountain softball team (16-3) hosting Shaler (19-1)on their home field at 3 p.m. But there are many more games across the state, including a number with a tie-in to western Clinton County, per this Bees O’Brien story below)
WILLIAMSPORT, PA- As Jaymison Stellfox watched Avery Cozzi’s second inning shot sail over her head and over her father’s head in left field, she couldn’t help but imagine that her Jersey Shore Lady Bulldogs were in trouble in the District IV 4A championship game at Elm Park on Wednesday. Stellfox’s father Jason is from Renovo, but ironically Cozzi’s parents also hale from Renovo.
Only one 4A team from the district would get to advance and it just so happened that eventually Jaymison’s Lady Dawgs would hold off Cozzi’s Montoursville squad to gain entrance into the state tournament, 4-3.
Stellfox is batting .375, while starting leftfield for Jersey Shore.
Jaymison was very close to being a Lady Buck, but her parents’ career choices led them to the Jersey Shore area.
“We talked about it all the time.” Said her father Jason “What it would have been like if we stayed in North Bend.
She’s even made comments over the years that she wishes we still lived up there.”
Luckily for Jersey Shore (13-9), their sophomore outfielder isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The Lady Bulldogs will District III runner’s up East Pennsboro (16-3) at Elm Park on Monday at 4:30.
Jason played baseball and football for Bucktail and is a 1998 graduate. Jaymison’s mother, Michelle is from Lock Haven and the family currently resides in Pine Creek Township
Eli Olshefskie, the son of Renovo native Owen Olshefskie has his Hughesville Spartans heading to the PIAA state 3A tournament. The Spartans are currently 19-3 and rolled through District IV and the Heartland Conference.
Olshefskie and his teammates now have a date with Riverside (16-9) at Bowman field in Williamsport on Monday at 4pm.
Olshefskie has done some pitching this season for the Spartans, but has primarily been playing designated hitter. He’s currently hitting .317 with 19 hits, 3 doubles and a triple.
A potential championship matchup for Olshefskie and the Spartans could be Zeke Bennet and his 19-2 Punxsutawney Chucks. Punxsy rolled through 3A in District 9 and then advanced past a subregional game against Chestnut Ridge to advance to the state playoffs.
Bennet is the son of 1997 Bucktail graduate Deanna Hibbler Bennet and is batting .359 with 14 RBI’s on the season.
Punxsutawney will open state play against WPIAL powers Neshannock on Monday.
Melissa Delaney Kuzior’s son Brody Kuzior has his Burgettstown squad back in the PIAA playoffs for the second season in a row. Kuzior has been a leader on a Blue Devils squad that will meet Redbank Valley for the second year in a row. Redbank, the District 9 champions will take on the third place WPIAL Blue Devils in DuBois on Monday. Melissa is a 1995 Bucktail graduate.
Ava Eisenhower and Callie Gentzyel have played huge parts in the Muncy softball team’s Mid Penn Conference championship and their run into the state playoffs for a second season in a row. Both girls have local ties, as well.
Muncy (21-2) will open their state playoffs on Monday against tournament favorites Bald Eagle Area (20-2). That game is set to take place at Bald Eagle Area High School.
As the state playoffs quickly approach, Western Clinton County residents will have plenty of teams to cheer on, including our beloved Lady Bucks. Bucktail will also open their state playoff run on Monday against Old Forge at the University of Scranton.
