Henry Huber on softball: South-CM double postponement displays unfortunate reality of spring sports
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On Thursday afternoon, fans gathered at Central Mountain High School for an anticipated softball matchup between the Wildcats (12-1) and returning PIAA Class AA finalist South Williamsport (12-3). The game had been previously scheduled for Monday before showers rendered it - along with a vast array of other area outings - unplayable.
But despite the previous outcome, the rough weather throughout the week and a downpour taking place just a few minutes before the allotted first pitch, coaches and players remained optimistic that they could beat out the ensuing forecast. The downpour slowed and halted, and play began 15 minutes after the named start time.
However, after two innings of sound play on both sides, a four-stanza defensive affair that saw 13 at-bats and a lone South Williamsport home run, dark clouds that had formed in the west stopped holding back.
The rain began in the bottom of the second, slightly hindering play, becoming a downpour as the half wrapped up and warranting a delay. And though both teams greatly anticipated getting back on the field, that ten-minute delay would ultimately turn into the matchup's second postponement.
At this time of the season, rescheduling is possible but unlikely. The Mounties compete on Saturday, next Monday and Thursday and the Wildcats have two games on Monday and one on Tuesday. Then, it's time for the postseason.
Though there's optimism surrounding a possible rescheduling, assuming it doesn't happen, it'd be unfortunate for a Central Mountain softball team that's vying to make a deep postseason run in the coming weeks. The more tough matchups the team can endure, the better. And the Mounties are as proven of a team as they come - the top-ranked team in the state in Class AA.
From an incredible two-way player in Alizabeth Schuler to a deep, experienced field and batting lineup, South showed it could rival the Wildcats in a lot of ways and would be a great challenge for them to experience ahead of playoffs. Win or lose, the matchup could greatly benefit the team.
"We knew they were a good team, and we were kind of looking forward to the competition because playoffs are coming, and we need to see it," said Central Mountain head coach Taylor Thompson on the matchup. "It wouldn't be bad idea to finish with them and get the practice before playoffs. We've seen good teams, but I think we need to continue to see strong pitching."
It'd be a great gauging point for a team that hasn't lost in over a month, a team that's displayed considerable strength but hopes to continue building upward. A comeback would've meant increased confidence and a loss could've given them precedent to work out any unknown, last-minute kinks.
But that's just an unfortunate reality of competing in spring sports in the Northeast. You never really know what the weather's going to do from week-to-week, and great matchups often get rained out into oblivion.
Nonetheless, the Wildcats will take away what they can from the shortened outing and build on it however they can. For now, the hope is that they can find a way to prepare for pitchers with similar skill levels to Schuler.
"That's the goal, to work on seeing faster pitching and things like that," continued Thompson when discussing her takeaways from the two-inning affair. "Maybe bring in some pitchers to throw some batting practice with us."
And if the matchup were to resume, Thompson feels the team is prepared to turn its 1-0 deficit around.
"I’m confident. It usually takes us an inning or two to catch on to the pitches that they throw, and I think we could get around on her if we had a little more time," said Thompson. "Hopefully, if we do get to finish it, we can come back strong and hopefully perform a little better."