The State College 10U softball team got off to a bad start in its District 5 final against Nittany Valley on Monday, July 1.
The 10Us were down 6-0 after just two innings, and even though they dented the NV lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning, there was still a long hill to climb.
But in the bottom of the fourth inning, things quickly changed. SC scored three runs, cutting the lead to 6-4, and with two at bats still to come, there was hope that another rally could tie the game or even put State College ahead.
Unfortunately, that rally did not happen, and Nittany Valley hung on for a 7-4 win that forces the two teams to meet again to finally settle the issue.
After the State College surge, Nittany Valley pitcher Sydney Smith bore down and retired the final six batters she faced in the fifth and sixth innings — four by strikeouts.
And to make things a bit easier, NV added an insurance run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Makenzie Kellogg that gave Smith a three run lead she did not relinquish.
State College collected five hits in all in the game and was led by Capri Lawson who had two hits, scored two runs and knocked in another.
Catcher Violet Devoto also had a hit and an RBI, as did second baseman Vivian Petrich.
But the big hits weren’t there against Smith, especially in the final two innings.
The teams will now meet again, on Wednesday, July 3. Since this is a double elimination tournament and both teams have a loss, the winner will take home the District 5, 10U softball championship and qualify for the sectional tournament.
In other softball news, 10U Softball West, PO/4 Leaf will play Curwensville for the championship on Friday, July 5.
And finally, in 12U Softball West, State College won the championship on Friday, June 14, with a victory over Philipsburg-Osceola and advanced to the sectional tournament in Indiana, PA.
Baseball tournaments
Little League baseball tournaments are nearing their conclusions. Here is a brief look at the status of the baseball teams:
In the 10U Baseball West Division, Big Valley advanced through the winner’s bracket and will face State College at a later date.
In 12U Baseball East, State College outlasted Big Valley in the upper bracket and will now face either Big Valley or Bellefonte in the final on Friday, July 5. State College needs to win just one game to win the title.
In the 12U West, Hollidaysburg will face either Philipsburg-Osceola or Bald Eagle Area in the final on Friday, July 5. P-O or BEA will have to win twice to claim the title.
