BILL TARUTIS/Special to the Sun-Gazette Holy Redeemer’s Mary Lombardi, right, beats the tag of South Williamsport shortstop Gianna Goodman as second baseman Emma McLaughlin moves in on the play during the state tournament this year.

The ball was not hit hard but it was perfectly placed and it looked like West Shamokin might take a two-run, first inning lead as it headed toward no-man’s land deep behind the first place bag.

Then second baseman Emma McLaughlin turned into Supergirl. And she made what, at this point, is South Williamsport’s play of the year.

Racing to her left, McLaughlin, dove through the air, stretched her body and glove as far as they could go and made a game-altering catch. McLaughlin prevented two runs from scoring, gave her team a spark and played a monster role in the Mounties defeating West Shamokin, 4-2, in Thursday’s Class AA state quarterfinals.

McLaughlin and South (16-5) are Final Four bound for a third straight year and play Williams Valley in Monday’s state semifinals at Central Columbia.

“It was definitely a game changer. She laid out and I was glad she had a big glove and it stayed in there. That was a heck of a play. It set the tone for the entire game,” O’Malley said. “That’s as good a play as you’re going to see considering the time of the play.”

Any play like that one is a great one, but McLaughlin doing it against an outstanding team in the state quarterfinals also makes it a season-changing one. If McLaughlin does not hustle, fly through the air and catch the ball an inch or so before it hit the ground, West Shamokin leads 2-0.

Even if one is to assume the rest of the game plays out the way it did for the next 6 ½ innings, if McLaughlin doesn’t make that amazing catch it’s 4-4 going to the bottom of the seventh. But plays like that often change the course of games, so the impact McLaughlin’s catch probably made could be felt all afternoon. From there, Alizabeth Schuler settled in and the offense came alive later in the contest as South turned a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead.

A day before thunderstorms rolled through, McLaughlin provided South a bolt of lightning.

“It was really exciting. I just knew I had to get the ball,” McLaughlin said. “If not, that could have brought us down if they scored two in the first inning. It could been different energy. It helped keep us going.”

“I feel like that definitely set the tone for the game. Her making that play saved us two runs and going into the dugout we were so hyped and so happy,” first baseman Abby Lorson said. “It really brought us up. We were a little flat at the beginning, but that brought our energy up right away.”

Runners were on second and third with two outs when it all transpired. The ball was hit off the end of the bat but carried deep enough into the infield that it looked like neither Lorson or McLaughlin would be able to get there. Lorson started jumping, and as she did, McLaughlin came charging behind her, extended as far as she could and somehow made the catch a few feet away from the first base line.

Earlier this season, South coaches challenged McLaughlin to play more aggressive. She heeded the advice and attacked the moment which came her way. Then she owned it, leaving a massive impact on the game.

The smile McLaughlin displayed after popping to her feet and the emotions her teammates showed highlighted how important it was.

“I was going to jump and try to catch it but I couldn’t tell how close I was, and Emma went and got it. She was so amazing,” Lorson said. “She completely dove on the ground. She was completely sprawled out.”

McLaughlin has been coming up clutch for South throughout the year, especially in the postseason. She made an excellent play on a line drive for the first out in the district final against Troy after the lead-off hitter had reached. She made an excellent stop against West Shamokin, stopping a ball which was headed up the middle and toward center field.

Going to her right this time, McLaughlin again dove, extended as far as she could go and gloved the ball. It resulted in an infield single but prevented the runner from trying to take an extra base. It also highlighted both McLaughlin’s skill and will.

“I think she’s gaining more confidence,” O’Malley said. “I’m happy for her. She works hard. She has a great attitude and she deserves getting some accolades.”

McLaughlin has been vital to South’s success the last two seasons, helping the Mounties reach last year’s state final. She was part of a defense which made a series of terrific plays in the semifinals against Bald Eagle Area and produced the game’s final out, fielding a grounder and throwing to Lorson.

That experience provided a launching pad and McLaughlin has soared higher this season, both literally and metaphorically.

“Even from the beginning of the season to now, I think I’ve improved,” McLaughlin said. “I know where to play and where my weak points are and strong points are and things like that.”

Athletes work for wins, but also opportunities. Whatever the future holds, McLaughlin will be able to look back at Thursday’s game against West Shamokin and know she cashed in on a big one.

The kind of catches players dream of making, McLaughlin turned into reality.

“Knowing I have Emma right by me is so comforting. She helps us so much,” Lorson said. “Whether it’s hit to her left or her right, she’s always helping us. She’s a great second baseman.”