That is until Thursday evening at Lycoming College.

On Thursday, that 13-year drought was snapped and Montoursville’s major softball team won just the third district championship in league history.

“It means a lot. I can’t remember the last time that Montoursville made it past districts, at least at the 12U age, so I’m just incredibly proud of them,” Montoursville coach Robyn Hesse-Hagemeyer said. “As you can see from the community support, the whole community is proud of them.”

Montoursville’s players all beamed smiles ear to ear as coach Hesse-Hagemeyer gave them their championship medals. And the smiles continued as they ran with the banner to centerfield to take photos with the scoreboard at Lycoming College, and photos with players from Williamsport Area.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Aubrie Hawley of Montoursville tags second base as Raygan Alvarez of Williamsport Area during the second inning at Lycoming College. Hawley’s foot came off the bag and she was called out on the play. Montoursville won 6-5.

Montoursville beat Williamsport Area in an absolutely thrilling game, 6-5, winning on a walk-off single by Kaelyn Woodling into right field to end the game. The single etched this team from Montoursville in league lore, alongside the 2011 team and the team’s first-ever major softball championship in 1997.

“Oh of course (this is awesome),” Hesse-Hagemeyer said of winning the third title ever. “This is a great group of girls. We remind them all the time that this is something you work hard for and this is something that hasn’t happened in a long time.”

Montoursville will compete in the Section 3 tournament, which runs July 3-7 at a site to be determined.

And Hesse-Hagemeyer is excited to see how the team progresses.

“I think they’re taking this very seriously and I can’t wait to see how far we go,” she said.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Montoursville celebrates celebrate their win over Williamsport Area at Lycoming College on Thursday in the District 12 championship game, 6-5. The title is just the third-ever in Montoursville major softball history (2011, 1997).

If districts was any indication, Montoursville has the ability to make a run. Montoursville’s team has played outstanding throughout the District 12 tournament. Montoursville won its first two games convincingly, defeating Williamsport Area in the first round, 9-0, before dominating Clinton, 18-0, in three innings in the winners’ bracket final.

On Thursday, Montoursville defeated Williamsport Area in a rematch for the title, 6-5, at Lycoming College.

Montoursville has the ability to strike at will in its lineup from an offensive standpoint, and while that has been huge, its pitching and defense has been just as important for this title run.

Harlee Hagemeyer and Emma Sunderland have been a great 1-2 punch in the circle for Montoursville, sharing time in all three games together through districts. Both have seen success as well in the circle in those games. On Thursday, it was Hagemeyer who earned the win with a solid effort over the final three two innings of play. Williamsport Area had the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning and had tied it 4-4 before Hagemeyer forced out the next three batters to end the threat.

“Harlee is awesome. She works hard, she works really hard and she’s a great leader,” Hesse-Hagemeyer said. “We’re proud of all the girls, but tonight Harlee did get the win and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Defensively, Montoursville backs up its pitchers as well. Montoursville has not committed a single error yet this all-star postseason and have played great all throughout the field, from Kenzi Lundy at catcher to the infielders and outfielders.

“Oh my gosh, a pitcher nowadays, the new rule is to keep the ball in the park and that means your defense is going to get a lot of balls,” Hesse-Hagemeyer said. “Our pitchers do that well and we have a defense behind our pitcher, so far error free. It’s given our pitchers a lot of room to play their best and throw their best games.”