Chris Masse on softball: Montgomery’s approach has not changed
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A lot has changed, and yet little has changed.
After capturing last year's Class A state championship, Montgomery now features eight new starters and is one of the area's youngest teams. That is the big change.
But the approach remains the same. Like last year, Montgomery is not looking ahead or behind. Its focus simply is on making the most of each day.
"We just want to get better every day," Montgomery coach Chris Glenn said. "We're working hard every day to get better. I tell the girls and I truly believe this, and it's all about doing something better than we did yesterday."
Montgomery (4-3) is doing that well so far and entered Monday's game against South Williamsport having won consecutive contests. The Red Raiders played their most complete game last Friday, blanking Sullivan County, 8-0 while handing the Griffins their first league loss. Sloan Wooten threw an eight-hit shutout, the defense made no errors and eight players combined for 13 hits.
With so many moving pieces and so many players starting and/or competing at varsity for the first time, this is a process. But it looks like it could be a successful process as Montgomery keeps its focus upon moving forward.
"Right now we're hitting well. I think as the season goes on, it's just going to get stronger and stronger and our defense is going to get stronger and stronger," said Wooten, the lone starter back from last year. "I think we can be a good team, a really good team."
Wooten is right, and her statement underscores a key reason why this team could become dangerous come playoff time. Other might have counted out Montgomery because of everyone this team graduated, but the Raiders are talented and believe they can excel.
They are crossing that important river every successful group must navigate. The Raiders are not hoping to win, but expecting to do so.
"We're going to swing the bat and play ball. We may come up short, but if they don't go out there and play with that intention to win that game, you're not going to win," Glenn said. "That's a big part of it (the process)."
Montgomery's three losses are against District 4 Class A title contender Bucktail, Muncy and 3A Warrior Run. They had leads at Bucktail and Warrior Run and gave Muncy a battle in a 3-2 loss. Nobody wants to lose, but there were positive signs in each defeat, especially against Muncy and St. Bonaventure-bound pitcher Nolah Moyer.
The encouraging signs have continued, as different players consistently are making impacts. Five players produced two hits each against Sullivan County. Wooten, Ava Hartman and Vallyn Ault ow have varsity pitching experience and the defense is settling in.
Wooten was able to to let her defense work against Sullivan. Second baseman Brynn Fisher and left fielder Addi Muhl made impressive plays to save potential hits and keep Montgomery going strong.
It was just one step, but another important one. And the goal right now is taking one step a time every day.
"We're just going to keep working hard. We want to be there at the end. That's our goal," Glenn said. "We'll just keep working. They're making big strides and that's all I can ask for."
GROWING CLOSE: Loyalsock is a bit like Montgomery, featuring six new starters. Like Montgomery, the Lancers have made rapid progress and are becoming a tight-knit unit. The Lancers (6-1) also are growing quite strong, winning six straight games and blanking perennial District 2 contender Abington Heights, 3-0 last Friday.
Loyalsock is undefeated in the HAC-III and is receiving steady contributions throughout the roster in all facets. Marissa Helmrich has thrown 26 straight scoreless innings, nine players delivered 17 hits in Thursday's 14-1 win at Warrior Run and the defense is both, quick and reliable.
"The standard has always been that Loyalsock is good. When you have a whole new lineup, people might tend to think that this is an opportunity to get on them and knock them down," center fielder Katie Ryder said after going 3 for 4 with a home run at Warrior Run. "I think for us, it's just an opportunity to show there's more athletes and players here to keep it going."
Ryder made an incredible play to preserve the Abington Heights win. A state qualifier in the 200-meter dash last year, Ryder sprinted back, reached over the fence and made a leaping catch while following over the fence, taking away a game-tying three-run home run and producing the game's final out.
That play was a microcosm for the way Loyalsock is attacking each challenge. The Lancers are picking each other up, encouraging each other and coming on strong.
"We have good team chemistry. Everyone gets along really well," Ryder said. "The team chemistry is a really big thing, and that can carry you through a lot of games."
"We still have a long way to go," Loyalsock coach Mark Godfrey said. "It's only seven games in, but I like what I see so far."
EXTRA BASES: Warrior Run starts mostly freshmen and sophomores, but senior Abby Evans is providing both veteran leadership and production. She had a big day against Shikellamy last Friday, hitting two, two-run home runs as the Defenders won, 7-6. Fellow senior Liana Dion went 2 for 4, while Maura Woland and Kayla Swartchick doubled … The second inning has been St. John Neumann's favorite inning so far this season. The Knights (3-3) scored 16 and 14 runs in the second inning in consecutive wins against CMVT while evening their record. Neumann produced 31 hits in those victories with Lizzie Weller and Gigi Parlante homering. Brianna Lisi and Sheiana Tutler both had five hits in those victories … Jersey Shore (4-3) is heating up offensively and produced 25 hits on consecutive days against Williamsport and Shikellamy. Rachel Lorson was 4 for 4 with a home run, double and three RBIs against Williamsport before her cousin Grace Lorson went 4 for 4 with two doubles in a 6-3 win against Shikellamy. Freshman Lynna Clark was 4 for 7 with a home run in those games … Brianna Trueman and Natalie Bennett formed quite a duo for Montoursville in a 17-2 win against Milton. Those two went a combined 7 for 7 with a home run, two triples, four RBIs and seven runs. Hannah Klotz was 2 for 2 with four RBIs and Jocelyn Jean added three RBIs while throwing a one-hitter … Nolah Moyer and Izzy Gush combined on a three-inning no-hitter and recorded all nine outs via strikeout in a 16-0 win against Benton. The Indians (7-1) bounced back from their first loss and hold sole possession of first place in the Mid-Penn.
1. Williamsport (4-0): They may make their coaches and fans heart rates soar, but the players stay calm under pressure, proving it yet again last week. Williamsport won two more games in its final at-bat, rallying past Jersey Shore, 9-8 and Selinsgrove, 5-4. The Millionaires have won three games in their final at-bat and erased a four-run deficit for a second time this season against Jersey Shore. In all four games, Williamsport has either been behind or tied entering the sixth inning. It is a small sample size, but eight Williamsport starters are hitting .333 or higher and the Millionaires scored their first eight runs against Jersey Shore with two outs. Abby Robertson hit a game-tying, two-run double, Ally Chilson a go-ahead two-run home run and Emma Vollman the walk-off single in that victory. Kendall McAnelly homered in a 5-4 win against Selinsgrove the next day and was 5 for 8 with three RBIs in those contests.
2. Central Mountain (4-2): Central Mountain has won three straight games since losing an extra-inning contest against Williamsport and gets a rematch with the Millionaires Wednesday. The Wildcats play Selinsgrove Tuesday and both are one game behind it, so the defending league champions have quite an opportunity this week. Madison Hardy hit her area-high third home run in a 10-0 win against Danville and was one of five players who produced two hits. Another was Gracie Saar who has at least two hits in five of her team's six games. Allison Lininger, Adalynn McKeague and Joslyn Shultz also allowed just one run and five hits in two wins last week.
3. North Penn-Liberty (7-0): Off to the best start in program history, North Penn-Liberty highlighted a three-win week with a 4-0 win against previously undefeated Muncy. Mackenzi Tuce threw a three-hit shutout and struck out 10 before the offense broke out for 15 hits in Friday's 13-6 win against Troy. Freshman Haley Litzelman continued her torrid start, hitting a home run and driving in four runs. She is hitting .552 with a team-high 15 RBIs. Nine different players collected hits, as Tice, Alexia Kshir, Saige Lehman, Megan Spohn and Nikki Kiscadden all had two.
4. Loyalsock (6-1): Pitchers have really never been able to breathe easy against Loyalsock because this team is hitting well top to bottom. The Lancers have at least seven hits in all six of their wins ans Ryder and Helmrich homered last week. Helrmich has been locked in pitching and has thrown three straight shutouts, while being a part of four straight.
5. South Williamsport (3-1): South had 11 days off before playing Danville and Williams Valley last weekend and made the practice time count. South blanked Danville 10-0 in five innings before scoring three sixth-inning runs to down Williams Valley, 4-1. Alizabeth Schuler and Aleigha Rieppel both earned wins with Schuler throwing eight scoreless innings and Rieppel excelling in relief against Williams Valley. Abby Lorson has started her sophomore year where she ended her successful freshman one, hitting safely in all four games. She gave Danville and Williams Valley fits on consecutive days, going 4 for 5 with a triple, double, four runs and an RBI. Through her team's first four games, Lorson is hitting .545. South Williamsport opens the Williamsport Tournament Friday when it plays defending champion Bellefonte.
Players of the Week
Bella Mileto, Loyalsock and Ashlyn Robinson,
Williamsport
Mileto opened the season serving as a second lead-off hitter from the No. 9 spot and now has assumed the actual top spot. No matter where she is in the lineup, Mileto is producing and set the tone for the offense last week, going 6 for 11 with a triple, double, five runs and three RBIs. Robinson also has moved up in the order while excelling in center field and at the plate. The freshman went 5 for 7 with a triple, double, RBI and three runs in Williamsport's victories. Robinson is hitting .500 in her young high school career and also has belted four extra-base hits.
Game of the Week
Williamsport Tournament
OK, this actually features eight teams playing at Elm Park Friday and Saturday, but it's a fun event featuring four Lycoming County teams. Williamsport, South, Montoursville and Loyalsock all are participating. All four open against different opponents, but the possibility for showdowns Saturday between those four strong rivals makes this event especially intriguing.
Chris Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse.