But two batters into the bottom of the first inning, Williamsport sent the Beavers a powerful message. And the Millionaires never stopped making sure that message went through.

After Myla Kelley hit a leadoff single, Aubri Blair smashed a two-run home run. Williamsport never trailed again as it put everything together and routed DuBois, 13-3 in five innings Saturday at Elm Park. Kelley went 4 for 4 and Blair hit two home runs, including a mammoth, walk-off two-run shot as the Millionaires (5-0) played their best game and dominated this battle of unbeatens.

“The last couple times we played them have been very low scoring games. I kind of mentally prepared the girls for that, a kind of a grind it out type of game,” Williamsport coach Chase Smith said. “It just didn’t need to happen tonight. Aubri got it started in that first inning that we were just going to put on a display today.”

And they certainly did.

Amalie Robertson of Williamsport is safe at second base as Jaden Swatsworth of DuBois drops the ball on the play Saturday April 16, 2022. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williamsport produced 10 hits and chased DuBois ace Allie Snyder after three innings while building an 11-1 lead. Every Millionaire starter reached base and scored a run. It was a performance as complete as it was impressive with the defense also shining and Blair turning two double plays. Layla Waldman won her third game in the circle and Williamsport put everything together against a strong team which had steamrolled its way to a 4-0 start.

“It makes for a good team win,” Kelley said. “Our defense is stellar, everyone on offense everyone contributes. It’s great.”

Kelley and Blair helped Williamsport both start and close great. Kelley hit a one-out single in the fifth inning before Blair came up and smashed the first pitch she saw well over the fence for the walk-off home run. It was the third time in five innings Williamsport scored multiple runs and it led to a big celebration waiting for Blair she touched home and ended the game.

Blair is one of the district’s premier players but had been contained throughout the first four games. The hard-hitting, slick-fielding shortstop went off against DuBois, driving in four runs, scoring three times and stealing a base. And she had plenty of help as Williamsport topped 10 hits for a second straight game while producing a second straight mercy-rule victory.

“It was like my breakout game, so I definitely feel a lot better about the season coming,” Blair said. “It’s still early and we had a lot of games that were canceled, so to come out in our fifth game and hit so well it gives a good outlook for the rest of the season.”

Layla Waldman of Williamsport races to first on a single in the first inning against DuBois Saturday April 16, 2022. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Coming off a breakout junior season, Kelley has again established herself as an excellent leadoff hitter and continued her offensive barrage Saturday. The senior right fielder produced her second straight 4 for 4 game in four contests and her fourth consecutive multi-hit games. Kelley is a scorching 12 for 14 over the last four games and she drove in three runs against DuBois.

Williamsport scored seven first-inning runs and Kelley capped that explosion with a two-run double. Layla Waldman hit a two-run single after Abby and Amalie Robertson walked and Taryn Reed added an RBI single.

“I feel great. My main thing when I go up there is looking for contact and putting the ball in play,” Kelley said. “I think we always have this thing of coming back but today I felt like we really saw her and we were able to get out there early. That’s usually the key to our success. We just have to focus.”

Williamsport kept laser-like focus the entire game and added four third-inning runs to take an 11-1 lead. Matayah Deitrick helped spark that rally with an infield single before Reed hit an RBI grounder and Nicole Belton dropped a well-placed RBI squeeze. Kelley and Abby Robertson added RBI singles as Williamsport started going for the early knockout.

Snyder had been successful through her first four games, by not overpowering hitters, but by getting them to chase the pitches she wanted. Williamsport flipped that script and produced eight hits in three innings off Snyder. The Millionaires laid off pitches outside the strike zone, forced Snyder to come to them and then pounced when they saw something they wanted.

Ally Chilson (4) of Williamsport is safe at home as Alexus Pfeufer of DuBois tries to make the tag Saturday April 16, 2022. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williamsport made Snyder threw 43 first-inning pitches and 31 more in the third inning. An offense that was sporadic at times the first three games has adjusted, come alive and produced 25 runs and 29 hits in the last two games.

“I went into the box with the mindset that I wanted to hit my pitch. I wasn’t going to chase anything that wasn’t a perfect pitch I knew that I could get really well,” Blair said. “I think that’s what a lot of kids on our team did. We went into the box looking for the best pitch they could hit rather than chasing some junk.”

“In the first three games we were striking out a lot and the girls were not being aggressive early in the count and then when they would get two strikes they would kind of just be at the mercy of the pitcher. I said we have to get out of that and start attacking earlier and swinging at strikes,” Smith said. “This girl was working the corners but as soon as she threw it over the plate the damage was done.”

Blair inflicted damage when DuBois was batting, too. The Beavers generated eight hits, but Blair twice squashed rallies by snaring line drives, tagging second and completing double plays. It looked like Blair might have turned a triple play in the fifth inning with two runners on, but the runner going back to first was called safe on a close play.

Blair’s first double play was highlight reel material. She leapt high into the air to snare the line drive, taking away what looked like a sure RBI hit and turning an inning-ending twin killing. It came at a perfect time, too, with DuBois having scored twice and threatening to chip away at the lead. Instead, in a flash, that momentum was sent back to the Williamsport dugout.

Aubri Blair (23) and Amalie Robertson (36) of Williamsport celebrate after Blair scored against DuBois Saturday April 16, 2022. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“It’s just kind of instinct,” Blair said. “Having played short for a few years now I read it off the bat right away and I know where it’s going to be.”

DuBois 100 20-3 8 2

Williamsport 704 02-13 10 1

Allie Snyder, Emma Delp (4) and Alexus Pfeufer. Layla Waldman and Abby Mahon. W-Waldman, (3-0). L-Snyder, (3-1).

Top DuBois hitters: Sarah Henninger 2-3, 3B; Pfeufer 2-2, RBI; Bella Gregory 1-2, RBI. Top Williamsport hitters: Myla Kelley 4-4, 2B, 3 RBIs, 2R; Aubri Blair 2-3, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 3R, SB; Abby Robertson 1-2, RBI, R; Waldman 1-3, 2 RBIs, R; Matayah Deitrick 1-2, R; Taryn Reed 1-3, 2 RBIs.

Records: Williamsport 5-0, 2-0 CPL. DuBois 4-1, 2-1.