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District 4 field is loaded in 2021 for high school softball

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock starting pitcher Marissa Helmrich winds up during a game earlier this year. Helmrich and the Lancers are one of the top two seeds in the District 4 Class AAA tournament.

The playoff fields are not as deep as they often are, but District 4 remains loaded. Of the the four district tournaments, only Class A and AAA (six) have more than four teams participating. Still, each tournament also includes multiple teams which could make state tournament runs if they advance.

The following is a look at the three district tournaments which feature area teams. Williamsport (18-1) will compete through District 2 in the Class 6A field and host either Scranton or Wilkes-Barre Area in Wednesday’s semifinals. Williamsport and Hazleton have met in eight of the last nine district finals and here is thinking they will again this year.

No area teams qualified for the Class AAAA tournament which includes top-seeded Danville (18-1) playing either Shamokin (15-5) or Athens (15-5). Towson-bound pitcher Morgan Wagner has been untouchable, and Danville over Shamokin is the call here.

CLASS AAA

(Six teams, two advance to states)

Two years ago, both finalists reached the state quarterfinals with Bloomsburg advancing to the Final Four. One can imagine any of this field’s six teams doing something similar if they can get out of the district’s most loaded bracket.

Top-seeded Loyalsock and Central Columbia earned the top two seeds and byes into the semifinals. They both will play Friday at Turbotville’s Moser Complex with the two quarterfinals being played today at the higher seed.

Loyalsock (17-3) earned a share of its third straight HAC-III championship with Central and closed its season on a three-game winning streak. The Lancers have hit well throughout the lineup and Marissa Helmrich, Hannah Winter and Anna Luxenberger all have pitched well. The Lancers handed Williamsport its only defeat and closed the season with 19 hits against defending champion Bloomsburg.

Loyalsock will face the Wellsboro-Bloomsburg winner. Wellsboro (15-5) won six straight games before dropping its regular-season finale and has shown a flair for the dramatic, winning three games on walk-off hits. Kerrah Clymer is tied for the area home run lead (7) and Wellsboro is hitting a collective .346. Sophomore Maddi Bordas is batting .500, Chelsie English has five home runs and four-year starter Jena Boyce has 23 RBIs.

Bloomsburg (13-7) retains a solid core of players from its 2019 team and six starters are hitting .317 or higher. Rita Nuss and four-year starter Rylee Klinger are having strong seasons and pitcher Ellen Hull is an experienced player who has 110 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings.

No. 3 Lewisburg hosts No. 6 Montoursville today and has won 10 straight games, defeating Loyalsock, 9-6 late in the year. The Green Dragons (16-4) have scored at least six runs in nine of their last 10 games and feature a deep lineup. Lone senior starter Brynn Wagner is hitting. 491, Gracie Murphy homered twice against Southern Columbia last week and Carley Wagner and Alexis Walter also are batting above .400. Walter and freshman Kim Shannon form a good pitching tandem, and each has thrown shutouts.

Tournament sleeper–Montoursville: Although Lewisburg swept the season series from Montoursville, MacKenzie Weaver threw a three-hitter in the most recent meeting, a 3-2 decision. Weaver allowed no earned runs in that game and the Warriors also have a big win over Bloomsburg while playing both Loyalsock and Central tough. Six players have hit over .300 and Weaver has 102 strikeouts for a team which returns seven starters next year.

Best quarterfinal–Montoursville at Lewisburg: Both of today’s games could be excellent ones but considering how close the previous meeting one, this HAC-II rivalry game especially looks like a toss-up.

Player to watch–Jocelyn Cruz, Loyalsock: The senior center fielder plays good defense and is part of a strong bottom of the order which effectively has turned the lineup over all season. Cruz closed her regular season by going 3 for 4 with a double Saturday.

Projected semifinals: Loyalsock over Bloomsburg; Central over Lewisburg. Projected final: Central over Loyalsock.

CLASS AA

(Four teams, champion advances)

Muncy is the only area team competing in this strong field which includes the past two champions, top seeds Line Mountain and Wyalusing. The Indians (12-7) are making their second straight playoff appearance despite having just two senior starters and play top-seeded Line Mountain in Friday’s semifinals.

Muncy has taken another step forward this season after returning to the postseason in 2019. The Indians have a bright future as well with all but two starters returning next year. The Indians started the season 11-3, held a late lead against Mid-Penn champion Montgomery early in the season and also have a victory against defending District 4 Class A champion Bucktail. Five starters are batting .446 or higher, including freshmen Nolah Moyer and Casey Fry. Moyer has pitched well, too, striking out 104 batters in 56 1/3 innings.

Line Mountain (14-3) has a quality core remaining from its 2019 champion and pitcher Kya Matter has allowed just 19 hits in 50 innings. Matter also is hitting .564 with a district-best nine home runs and is Line Mountain’s only player batting above .300.

Wyalusing (12-8) has played in the last two district finals, winning the 2018 crown and won eight straight games late this season. Hailey Jayne is 12-7 with a 1.88 ERA, striking out 146 batters in 108 innings. Jenelle Johns has belted four home runs while driving in 23 runs.

Tournament sleeper–East Juniata: Alyssa Robinson headlines a dangerous offense and is hitting a Tri-Valley League best .556. Sophomore pitcher Brenna Watts has a 1.81 ERA, striking out 69 in 81 innings.

Player to watch–Nicolette Johnson, Muncy: The junior outfielder set the program record for single-season steals, reaching 26 after swiping three more bags in Friday’s 16-0 win against St. John Neumann. Johnson is one of the area’s quickest players and a consistent hitter, too, batting .473 with 28 runs and 10 RBIs.

Projected final: Line Mountain over Wyalusing

CLASS A

(Six teams, two advance)

Top-seeded Northeast Bradford is undefeated, No. 2 Montgomery is 19-1 and No. 3 Bucktail is 15-4 with the defending champions having won eight straight games. And don’t sleep on Canton, Cownasque Valley or Millville either. Yes, this is a stacked field.

Montgomery reached its first district final and state tournament since 2010 two years ago, edging NEB in the semifinals. It closed the regular season with seven straight wins, including statement victories against defending Class A state champion Williams Valley (3-2), Central Columbia (2-0) and Wyalusing (3-0). Pitcher Faith Persing has thrown 12 shutouts and struck out 206 batters, fanning 12 more in a no-hitter against North Penn-Liberty Thursday. Several starters are back from the 2019 team and Montgomery has received consistent production through its lineup with six players driving in at least 13 runs. The Red Raiders repeated as Mid-Penn champions, going undefeated in league play and Kaitlyn Raemsch hit a clutch RBI triple in last Monday’s 2-0 win against Central.

Montgomery will play either Bucktail or Millville in Friday’s semifinals at Elm Park. Bucktail captured its first district championship two years ago and a strong of players from that team remains. Emma Poorman and freshman Makenzie Wagner each have pitched well. They also are among the district’s RBI leaders with 43 and 31, respectively. Jordan Burrows has added 33 RBIs and Bucktail has scored 11 or more runs in each of its last four games.

NEB features one of the field’s most potent offenses and sophomore pitcher Thailey Franklin has produced an excellent debut season. The Panthers swept four games from their possible semifinal opponents, Cowanesque Valley and Canton, outscoring them, 29-5.

No. 4 Canton, however, does feature a powerful offense and closed its regular season with an impressive 8-6 win against Wyalusing. The Warriors (12-8) rallied from an 0-3 start and have topped 10 runs 11 times, including when it collected 17 hits in a 22-18 win against South Williamsport.

CV (12-8) started its season 9-1 and defeated Canton, 7-4, last week. The Indians also can slam the ball around the park and senior Makayla Vargeson is one of this field’s most dangerous hitters. CV swept two games from Canton, also defeating it, 8-6, early in the season.

Tournament sleeper–Millville: The Quakers (10-10) have been in playoff mode for a week now after winning three straight games to qualify. Millville showed how dangerous it is last month when it defeated Bucktail, 5-4. Olivia Savage earned the win that day and fellow pitcher Carlee Charles has struck out 106. Both players have 23 RBIs and freshman Morgan DiFebo is hitting .404.

Best quarterfinal–Cowanesque Valley at Canton: CV won both games but each one was competitive and entertaining. Expect a similar contest today.

Player to watch–Taylor McRae, Montgomery: The junior first baseman consistently has produced key hits at opportune times and set the tone against Williams Valley with a first-inning home run. McRae hit a walkoff home run against NEB in the 2019 semifinals and has compiled a .333 on-base percentage.

Projected semifinals: NEB over CV; Montgomery over Bucktail. Projected final: NEB over Montgomery

Dr. Masse’s final top 5 rankings: 1. Williamsport (18-1); 2. Montgomery (19-1); 3. Loyalsock (17-3); 4. Lewisburg (16-4); 5. Central Mountain (15-5)

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: MADDIE HERMAN, JERSEY SHORE AND JULIE GREEN, BUCKTAIL — Herman did all she could to help her young team reach the playoffs and was a run-producing machine last week. The senior first baseman produced 12 RBIs on nine hits and also scored seven runs. Green has helped Bucktail surge late this season and went 6 for 11 with 12 RBIs and five runs in four games last week.

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