MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's 24 is congratulated by her first base coach after hitting a single with an rbi in the first inning.

Abby and Sage Lorson often are mistaken as sisters. It goes beyond their last names, too.

The Lorson cousins have never played softball apart. Not once have they been opponents, from T-Ball through high school. Come to think of it, maybe those thinking they are sisters are on to something.

Watch them play and it sure feels that way.

“People always assume we’re sisters or twins,” Sage said. “We don’t have to work as hard to build the connection because it’s already there.”

It’s been there since both Abby and Sage first put on cleats. Always teammates and always close, the Lorson’s have played major roles on all their teams being successful. And the tradition has continued this season with both helping South reach the Class AA state semifinals.

South (21-2) has reached the state’s Final 4 for the first time since 2004 and will play Bald Eagle Area in Monday’s Eastern Region final at Central Mountain. This long softball journey they have been on since elementary school continues going strong.

“It’s surreal,” Sage said. “I’m waiting for somebody to pinch me and wake me up from my dream.”

“We’ve done everything together,” Abby said. “Coming up to get this far and experiencing everything together that we have is really cool.”

Abby and Sage have, both sophomores, have been starters since Day 1 at South, Abby playing first base and Sage right field. They have provided production in the middle of the order as well as quality defense, combining for 26 RBIs this season.

Both cousins made an immediate impact a year ago as South went from missing the playoffs in 2021 to capturing a district championship and reaching the state quarterfinals. South has taken another step forward this season and the connection Abby and Sage share certainly provides a boost.

“They’ve helped big-time, as everyone has,” third baseman Kendall Cardone said. “They can pick each other up in a way not everyone else could, being family.”

Abby and Sage have experienced quite a lot together over the years. They played together on an 8-year-old state championship team, helped the 12U team reach the Little League World Series and now have been steady contributors for South’s first back-to-back district champion of the 2000s. And they still have two high school years remaining whenever this one ends.

That bond continues growing even stronger. They may not share a house, but the Lorson’s pretty much have shared every softball emotion and achievement together through the years. That is a connection which helps bring out the best in each other.

“It’s all we’ve ever known. We’ve always had that bond,” Abby said. “We have a lot of chemistry, so we play really well together because we’re so close.”

Like their teammates, Abby and Sage excel off the field as well. They are both National Honor Society members and have been excellent teammates throughout their softball journey. While Abby and Sage actually are related, they feel connected to all their teammates in a similar family manner because this group has become so close over the years.

They also share the qualities that their coaches value above than their statistics. Honestly, that goes for all the players but the Lorson’s have become a package deal all these years. What one does, so does the other.

And that makes for some happy coaches and teammates.

“No. 1 they’re really good people and they work extremely hard. They have really good makeup and attitudes and are very coachable,” South coach Tom O’Malley said. “It’s easy to be their coach. They listen and are hungry to get better. That’s the way they are.”

Someday, the Lorson’s will no longer play softball together. But what a ride it has been thus far. And, oh, the memories these two can reflect on as they grow older.

It should make for some enjoyable family get-togethers.

“It’s definitely a conversation starter,” Sage said. “It’s been really fun.”