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MILL HALL - The Central Mountain softball team has played just two home games so far this season. But in both contests, it's been the play of a sophomore that's made the difference.
Last week, in walk-off fashion, it was Madison Hardy who launched a homer over the center field fence to down Shikellamy. Monday night it was a 14-strikeout performance from Adalyn McKeague that helped the Wildcats defeat Selinsgrove, 2-0.
McKeague went the distance. The sophomore hurler, who seemed to gain velocity in her pitches as the game progressed, allowed just six total base runners and three hits in seven innings. McKeague battled both a capable lineup and the weather. Selinsgrove, a team that tallied 21 runs in its game last week, brought some unfavorable weather with it to Mill Hall.
Despite the conditions, McKeague continued to dominate in the circle.
"She did a great job. She hit her spots very well, especially early on. When the rain started in the last couple of innings she wasn't hitting as well but she still did a great job," Wildcats coach Fred Caldwell said after his team's fifth straight win to begin the season.
As a pitcher, it was all McKeague could ask for after her offense came away with two runs in the bottom of the 1st following a three-strikeout inning.
The Wildcats got on Selinsgrove pitcher Sophia Ramer early. After Caitlyn Watson, Central Mountain's leadoff hitter and shortstop, walked to begin the inning, Allison Lininger roped a triple to right to break the scoreless tie. Lininger later scored thanks to an RBI-single from Harley Kunes.
After surrendering two runs in the bottom of the first, Ramer settled in. The senior remained in the circle for the remainder of the game and allowed just four more hits the rest of the way out.
Monday's game, which was impacted yet not halted by rain, was a battle of two great pitchers. Both McKeague and Ramer tossed solid games the rest of the way out.
Central Mountain's narrow, 2-0, lead was threated in the top half of the sixth. Kylee Hessek went 1 for 1 with a pair of walks and broke up McKeague's no-hit bid with two down in the fifth. With Hessek on first, Riley Batdorf drew a walk. The Seals had runners on first and second with just one out.
That's when Central Mountain catcher Gracie Saar--a junior--made a sensational play to throw Hessek out at third to end the inning.
The magic didn't stop there for Saar as she did the same the very next inning in the top of the seventh when Selinsgrove had two runners on, once again.
Even with the potential go-ahead run at the plate, Caldwell had the upmost faith in his pitcher. After the game he was asked whether he debated taking McKeague out as Selinsgrove was threatening to score.
"No. She's a workhouse," Caldwell responded. "She goes in and usually throws complete games. She rarely needs relief. She threw a lot of off-speed pitches early, a change and a curve, we stayed with that. After the third time through, we threw more velocity."
McKeague and the Wildcats held on, continuing Central Mountain's undefeated record against Selinsgrove.
The Wildcats are now 13-0 all-time against the Seals.
Selinsgrove 000 000 0--0 3 0
Central Mountain 200 000 0--2 6 0
W: Adalyn McKeague. L: Sophia Ramer.
Top Selinsgrove hitters: Kylee Hessek 1-1; Carrera Bigger 1-3; Erika Messer 1-3. Top Central Mountain hitters: Allison Lininger 2-2, 3B, RBI; Madisyn Wian 2-3; Harley Kunes 1-2, RBI.
Records: Central Mountain (5-0), Selinsgrove (1-5).