Montoursville major softball clinches first district title since 2011 in thrilling fashion

Montoursville celebrates a close play against WALL in the first base at Lycoming College. Montoursville won 6-5.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

After scoring a run in the top of the sixth inning, Williamsport Area seemingly started to get some momentum going on its side against an extremely tough Montoursville team. Williamsport Area tied the game, 5-5, but Montoursville knew to just be patient and wait for something to happen.

It didn’t take long for that opportunity to arise. After a leadoff double, Montoursville quickly loaded the bases with just one out. That’s when Kaelyn Woodling got up to the plate and came up clutch. The No. 9 hitter got a hold of a pitch and drilled one to shallow right field, bringing in Danni DeTato and giving Montoursville an extremely exciting walk-off win at Lycoming College in the District 12 major softball championship game, 6-5.

The win propels Montoursville to the Section 3 tournament next. It’s Montoursville’s first District 12 major softball title since 2011, and just the third in league history.

“I have a lot of confidence in all the girls and Kaelyn already had one awesome hit for the game, so I was just hoping she could pull through for us again and she did,” Montoursville coach Robyn Hesse-Hagemeyer said. “I’m really proud of her.”

“They played great, they did. That’s what it’s all about,” Williamsport Area coach Chip Frame said. “You can’t win them all, but they sure tried. Everybody was a part of it today.”

Trinity Belle of Montoursville tries to make the play on Emrie Frame of WALL at second base at Lycoming College. Frame was ruled safe at second on the sixth inning play. Montoursville won 6-5.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

DeTato led the bottom of the sixth off with a huge double to right to reach and put a runner in scoring position immediately. After a pop out, Montoursville then saw Maura Thompson execute a great bunt single to reach and Myles DiMassimo was walked to load the bases and set the stage for Woodling’s walk-off single.

“It means a lot,” Hesse-Hagemeyer said of winning the district championship. “As you can see from the community support, the whole community is proud of them.”

Montoursville opened the game with a huge four-run first inning to go ahead 4-0 and looked poise to run away with the game like Montoursville did in its first two contests of districts. But Williamsport Area kept focused and calm and slowly chipped its way back. Williamsport Area scored a run in the top of the second to cut it to 4-1.

“What a relief (with four runs early). Of course, WALL came back and tied us and took that relief away, but it’s always good when you can put a thumb on someone and take control of the game and that’s what we did,” Hesse-Hagemeyer said.

Williamsport Area then scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning which saw Williamsport Area send nine batters to the plate. Emrie Frame and Devin Stroble reached with a single and walk, respectively, before Payton Pennycoff drilled a hard triple to right field to bring two runs. Maslyn Hess then drove Pennycoff in thanks to an RBI single into shallow centerfield.

Kaelyn Woodling of Montoursville connects on an RBI single to win the game against WALL at Lycoming College. Montoursville won 6-5.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

All of a sudden, the game was tied and Williamsport Area got some momentum.

“We had to stay within the zone swinging, and that was the biggest difference (from first game). Our hitters were hitting better pitches,” Frame said. “We didn’t get many walks, but we were more patient at the plate. That was the biggest part. We had more solid hits today. You got to put the ball in play.”

Montoursville and Williamsport Area’s offenses both were able to collect hits and get runners on. Montoursville had 12 hits while Williamsport Area had eight.

Hess led Williamsport Area by going 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored while Frame was 2 for 3 with two runs. Pennycoff went 1 for 3 with two RBIs, Aubree Shaylor was 1 for 1 with two walks and Valarie Beiter was 1 or 2 with an RBI.

Kenzi Lundy had a solid day at the plate for Montoursville, going 3 for 2 with an RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored. Trinity Belle (2 for 2, walk, two stolen bases, run) and Woodling (2 for 3, two RBIs) each had multiple hits. Montoursville also saw Karsyn Stone go 1 for 3 with two stolen bases, DeTato have a double with a stolen base and two runs, Maura Thompson go 1 for 2 and DiMassimo go 1 or 2 with a triple.

Montoursville celebrates celebrate their win over WALL at Lycoming College. Montoursville won 6-5.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

While Williamsport Area tied the game twice — in the fourth inning and then the top of the sixth — Montoursville never panicked and stayed focused.

“To stay calm, play your defense, let your pitcher work, let your defense work, get up to bat, swing the bat and score some runs,” Hesse-Hagemeyer said. “It’s really that simple, and we executed.”

Williamsport pitcher Aubree Shaylor played outstanding through the 5 1/3 innings she threw. After Montoursville scored five runs in the first inning, Shaylor kept Montoursville’s potent offense from doing a lot more damage, allowing just one more run before she was relieved by Catelyn Steppe in the sixth.

“She’s been working all year. She hit a rough spot and we let her work through that and it’s all part of growing in the sport,” Frame said. “She’s going to try to play ball at a higher level and she’s got to learn how to do that, and she’s learning.”

Like Shaylor, Montoursville starting pitcher Harlee Hagemeyer was just as solid. Hagemeyer allowed just two earned runs.

Danni DeTato of Montoursville celebrates scoring the winning run against WALL at Lycoming College. Montoursville won 6-5.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Harlee is awesome. She works hard, she works real hard and she’s a great leader,” Hesse-Hagemeyer said. “We’re proud of all the girls, but tonight Harlee did get the win and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Montoursville 6, Williamsport Area 5

WALL 010 301 – 5 8 1

Montoursville 401 001 – 6 12 0

(One out when winning run scored)

Harlee Hagemeyer, Emma Sunderland (4), Hagemeyer (4) and Kenzi Lundy, Karsynn Stone (4), Lundy (4). Aubree Shaylor, Catelyn Steppe (6) and Payton Pennycoff.

Top Williamsport Area hitters: Emrie Frame 2-3, 2 runs; Payton Pennycoff 1-3, 3B, 2 RBIs, run; Maslyn Hess 3-3, 2 RBIs, run; Aubree Shaylor 1-1, 2 BB; Valarie Beiter 1-2, RBI. Top Montoursville hitters: Karysn Stone 1-3, 2 SB, run; Trinity Belle 2-2, BB, 2 SB, run; Kenzi Lundy 3-3, RBI, 2 SB, run; Danni DeTato 2B, SB, 2 runs; Maura Thompson 1-2, BB; Myles DiMassimo 1-2, 3B, run; Kaelyn Woodling 2-3, 2 RBIs.