The Green Dragons had other ideas. Lewisburg played nearly flawless softball behind a sensational pitching performance from Kim Shannon the last six innings, storming back to beat nemesis Loyalsock and advancing to their first district final since 1996.

“It’s anything anybody could ever ask for. I think our seniors are super happy. I’m super happy. This is a really strong team we have and I’m not taking any moment for granted. I’m living in the moment, you can’t think about the future, you can’t think about the past, you know, so think that’s what we did tonight,” Shannon said.

Shannon was dominant. The sophomore lefty induced soft contact all day, including in that first inning when Loyalsock got runners to second and third without a ball leaving the infield before Malloy Roadarmel smoked a two-run double down the line. From then on, Loyalsock never seriously threatened as Shannon, who only finished with three punchouts, induced weak contact all day by throwing drop balls to both sides of the plate.

“I was mostly throwing drop balls. And then my catcher was telling me inside or outside and you know, in the beginning or in the earlier innings, it was very little inside pitches but we saw it was working, So, we started working inside more often,” Shannon said. “So I think that’s growing as the game goes on. That’s knowing what your batters are doing, that’s knowing where the strike zone is and what you’re doing yourself. And I think earning to put those things together is really important.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lewisburg's shortstop snags a pop fly off the bat of Loyalsock's Marissa Helmrich in the District 4 Class AAA semifinals on Thursday at Elm Park in Williamsport. Lewisburg won 3-2.

Lewisburg started to chip away in the third when Ryan Brouse single and came around to score on a two-out Loyalsock error off the bat of Erin Field.

They’d tie it up in the next frame. Sydney Bolinsky singled to lead off the inning, followed by a walk to Lexi Walter. Gracie Murphy tied it with a base hit to right field, and Lewisburg was still in business. But, Marissa Helmrich came on in relief for Hannah Winter and got out of the jam to keep the game tied after four.

Lewisburg took the lead for good in the bottom half of the fifth. Rylee Dryoff hit a rocket back up the middle with one out, then was moved over on a fielder’s choice, setting up Lexi Walter in a huge spot. The senior, who has been a huge building block in this program’s resurgence, delivered. She took a 3-2 pitch and hammered it out to right field, giving the Dragons the lead and sending their dugout into a frenzy.

“It was a little nerve racking because it was 2-2, so I had to make contact, keep fouling balls off. And I just got lucky enough for it to fall right in that gap,” Walter said.

That’s all that Shannon needed. She went into another gear and got the final six outs without allowing a base-runner as Lewisburg swept the season series, 3-0, and advanced to play Central Columbia next Tuesday at Elm Park for the District 4 Class AAA title.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Marissa Helmrick throws against Lewisburg in the District 4 Class AAA semifinals on Thursday at Elm Park in Williamsport. Lewisburg won 3-2.

Lewisburg and Central Columbia have split two close games this season, and Dragon coach Ken Wagner doesn’t think they will have any trouble refocusing.

“I don’t think I have to get them focused against Central because they know that Central is going to be a battle every time we play them. It’s a one or two run game. And the team that makes the error gets beat. That’s the way it’s been in the last three years, so we gotta be focused. We’re gonna work hard over the next couple of days and hopefully, go out and get them on Tuesday,” Wagner said.

Loyalsock 200 000 0 – 2 2 2

Lewisburg 001 110 – 3 5 0

Hannah Winter, Marissa Helmrich (4) and Grace Shaible. Kim Shannon and Sydney Bolinsky.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Marissa Helmrick throws against Lewisburg in the PIAA District 4 Class AAA semifinals on Thursday at Elm Park in Williamsport. Lewisburg won 3-2.

(Top hitters for Loyalsock and Lewisburg not available)