Big third inning lifts Central Mountain softball over DuBois in subregional

May 31, 2023

Central Mountain's Sophie Mitchell swings at a pitch in Tuesday afternoon's game against DuBois. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

CRESSON – Ready to make a push for a state title.

After capturing the District 6 Class AAAA title, the Central Mountain Wildcats softball team started their March for state gold as they opened against DuBois Tuesday in PIAA play-in action.

The Cats posted a six-run, third inning and never looked back as they took the contest going away, 9-1 at Mt. Aloysius.

"I thought they really played well. Especially in the third inning when we had some real good at bats," said Central Mountain coach Fred Caldwell.

Early on, Central Mountain hurler Adalynn McKeague had her pitches working for her, notching five strikeouts in the first two innings. McKeague struck out the side in the second. She finished with 10 strikeouts while allowing only three hits on the afternoon.

DuBois pitcher Ava Baronick was almost as successful keeping the Wildcats off the scoreboards as well.

Offensively, Central Mountain was led by Madisyn Wian (2-for-4), Gracie Saar (3-for-4) and Allison Lininger (2-for-4). DuBois’ Gabby Gulvas was the only multiple hitters for the Beavers going 2-for-4.

The Wildcats started to get its offense going in the bottom of the third. Taylor Wahlers dropped a looping single into centerfield. Katelyn Bowman bunted herself on and moved Wahlers to second.

A hit by Wian loaded the bases with no one out. With one out, Harley Kunes blasted a grand slam home run, upping the advantage to 4-0.

Lininger doubled into deep centerfield. She scored on a miscue by the Beavers on an at-bat by Saar. Saar was replaced on the base paths by pinch runner Haleigh Peters. Peters later scored on a wild pitch, giving her team a 6-0 advantage going into the fourth.

McKeague continued her dominating performance on the mound, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Central Mountain rallied again. Wian started things with a stand up double.

Madisyn Hardy was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second, but they would be stranded as the DuBois defense held.

Saar doubled and scored on another error by the Beavers, upping the lead to seven going into the sixth.

McKeague had just one hit on her going into the sixth.

DuBois picked a run in the sixth on a solo blast by Morgan Pasternak. But the Wildcat defense would tighten up and keep the Beavers to just one run going into the final stanza.

Central Mountain got the run back on one giant smash by Madisyn Hardy as she smoked one way over the centerfield fence for the solo homer, giving the Wildcats an 8-1 and eventually the win.

Central Mountain 9, DuBois 1.

DU 000 001 0 – 1 3 2

CM 006 012 x – 9 8 1

WP: Adalynn McKeague. LP: Ava Baronick

Multiple hitters: CM -Madison Wian 2-4, Gracie Saar 3-4, Allison Lininger 2-4. DU – Gabby Gulvas 2-4. HR: CM – Harley Kunes, Madisyn Hardy. DU – Morgan Pasternak. 2B: CM – Allison Lininger., Madison Wian, Gracie Saar.

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