South’s Alizabeth Schuler threw masterful shutout in title game
Trending
Many focused upon Muncy pitcher Nolah Moyer when previewing the District 4 Class AA final against South Williamsport.
Who can blame them? Moyer is one of the state's top pitchers and will play at St. Bonaventure next spring. She was great again Thursday, too, against South.
But Alizabeth Schuler proved there were two tremendous pitchers throwing Thursday.
Schuler produced her latest playoff gem, throwing a masterful five-hit shutout, striking out 12 and helping South blank Muncy, 2-0 to capture a third straight district championship. Schuler capped a dominant district playoff run, throwing three consecutive shutouts and allowing just eight hits in 18 innings.
"She can hold her own and that definitely helps," South right fielder Sage Lorson said. "She sets the tone for the team."
Schuler emphatically did that against Muncy, cooling off a team with 21 wins which also will compete in the state tournament starting Monday. South (21-2) will play in Fleetwood against District 3 champion Brandywine Heights, while Muncy heads to Bald Eagle Area and plays the District 6 champions.
Schuler earned her third straight district championship win and this performance was her best of an impressive triple crown. She threw 63 of 80 pitches for strikes, never went to a three-ball count and threw first-strike pitches to 20 of 26 batters.
All this in a game which was scoreless through three innings and which was 1-0 entering the fifth. All this against a dominant pitcher who has thrown 16 shutouts this season. Then again, these are the games and moments Schuler enjoyed the most.
"It's so fun to be in these games. Even when the pressure is on, you just have to know that it's fun," Schuler said. "It's a high school softball game. No matter what happens we're playing the sport we love."
Schuler and her teammates have displayed their passion since they first started playing the game, capturing state championships at the 10U level and 12U level, while reaching the 2019 Little League World Series. The success has continued with this group winning three straight district titles.
All the players have provided equal lifting and Schuler feels mighty comfortable knowing she has such a strong team behind her. The Mounties played super defense against Muncy with shortstop Gianna Goodman making a spectacular hit-saving catch and catcher Lily Reidy picking a runner off first.
"Playing Pittston and Central Mountain and teams like that has really helped us get better and has really helped me with my pitching," Schuler said. "Three (playoff )shutouts are really thanks to my defense."
Schuler also provides that when she is not pitching. A rock at shortstop and/or third base, Schuler reciprocated the defense third baseman Kendall Cardone consistently provides while helping her go 5-0 in the pitching circle.
Having Cardone emerge as a reliable pitcher also helped keep Schuler fresh throughout the season. That is paying huge dividends now. Schuler has pitched her best softball during the playoffs, throwing a four-inning no-hitter against Wyalusing in the quarterfinals, a three-hit shutout against hard-hitting Troy in the semifinals and then the five-hitter against Troy.
Schuler upped her record to 16-2 this season and also won her 11th playoff start in three seasons. She is 16-2 with a 0.91 ERA and 103 strikeouts. And although she gave up more hits than the previous two outings, considering the opponent and the game's ramifications, Schuler threw one of her best games against Muncy, doing so for a third straight year.
"I was very excited about that challenge," Schuler said. "I knew that it was going to be a very close game."
"You can't say enough superlatives about her," South coach Tom O'Malley said. "She seems like she's getting stronger as the season goes on and this is when you need her. She was as good as advertised."
That included in the biggest moments.
Muncy threatened to take the lead in a scoreless game when Taylor Shannon and Kaylyn Rice both hit singles. A Leah Vest bunt moved Shannon to third, but Schuler delivered in a big spot, producing her sixth strikeout.
South led 2-0 in the sixth inning, but Muncy put the tying runners on second and third with one out. A hit could have tied the game, but when the heat was turned up, Schuler stayed cool, recording her 10th strikeout before inducing an inning-ending groundout. An inning later, the three-peat was complete.
Before the final out was recorded, Schuler kept the same demeanor the entire game. She doesn't get too high or low. It's a singular focus on the next pitch and that mentality has proven as valuable as her pitching arsenal.
"She's been awesome. Second and third there, and she made pitches when she had to again," O'Malley said. "She locks in there and really focuses and that was the difference right there."
Oh yeah, Schuler can hit, too.
She is hitting .494 and leads the area in both home runs and RBIs. Schuler produced her 100th career hit in the district quarterfinal win against Wyalusing. Add that to the intangibles she provides and South sure is happy Schuler is on their side.
"She's amazing," Lorson said. "I just love her. She's so good."