Abigail Lorson of South Williamsport hits a single in the 7th inning against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Abby Lorson was not sure she would ever bat again as she dug in late Monday against Williams Valley. Like, ever.

South Williamsport held a two-run, fifth inning lead when Lorson grabbed her bat. The pendulum had wildly swung back and forth the last few innings, though, so a senior who will not play collegiately was not sure what her immediate future held.

Turns out it features one more game. And Lorson is a major reason why.

This was not Lorson’s final at-bat. But it may have been her most memorable.

Lorson slammed a two-run home run which capped an exciting four-run rally. She then snared a liner to open the sixth inning and celebrated alongside her friends an inning later as South defeated Williams Valley, 9-5, and captured a second straight Class AA Eastern Region championship. Now Lorson gets to play her final game in the ultimate setting as South plays Neshannock for the state title Thursday at Penn State.

“It’s honestly so amazing. You never know when your last at-bat is going to be and that’s what I was thinking,” Lorson said. “I thought, ‘This could be my last at-bat,’ and I just wanted to help the team.”

Lorson always has.

A four-year starter, Lorson has collected 101 career hits and helped South win four district titles, reach two state championships and win 19 playoff games. Her 100th hit came in the seventh inning last Thursday when South defeated West Shamokin in the state quarterfinals.

As fondly as Lorson will remember that milestone hit, she likely will remember 101 even more. It was not just putting her team up more, but also seeing her dad, first base coach Adam Lorson, celebrating as the ball cleared the fence. It was helping a group of friends who have played together since they first put on cleats extend their high school careers as far as they can go.

However one looks at it, this one was mighty special. It came just one pitch after her cousin Sage drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch. Like Sage did last year against Bald Eagle Area in the state semifinals, Abby scorched a laser toward center field which looked like it might not clear the fence but which did in a flash.

“I thought it was just going to be in the gap. I thought it was going to roll to the fence. I had no idea it was over,” Lorson said. “I saw my dad jumping and yelling at first base and it was amazing.”

As quickly as Williams Valley had stormed back, South seemingly punched a hole in its balloon. Lily Reidy crushed a two-run home run three batters before Lorson which put South up, 7-5. After storming back from five runs down to tie it, Williams Valley still had hope.

But Lorson following so soon with another two-run home run seemed to send a message that read, ‘Not today.’ Pitcher Alizabeth Schuler took over from there, retiring the final six batters she faced and South made history, becoming the first team in program history to reach consecutive state championships.

“You love to see it. I thought it was going to hit the wall but it just kept soaring. As soon as people started running out of the dugout I was like, ‘Wow, it went over!'” Reidy said. “It’s a great thing. Getting two, two-run home runs is more motivation. It’s another reminder that we’re in this and we’re here to play.”

Lorson has loved playing since her softball journey began. She has the ability to play at the next level, but has opted against it. So what a way to go out in her final season playing a game she has devoted countless hours toward.

Lorson is hitting .347 this season, a number more impressive when one considers South played a regular season schedule which featured opponents compiling a .673 winning percentage. Playoffs provided the next challenge and Lorson and her teammates again have met it.

She felt like she was pressing as 100 hits approached, but Lorson has broken out at the perfect time. Before the home run against Williams Valley, she hit a clutch two-out, two-run double down the right field line. Lorson finished 2 for 3 with four RBIs and has three hits in her last four at-bats since reaching 100 hits.

“We knew after Abby got her 100th hit, watch out,” South coach Tom O’Malley said. “Abby is a heck of a player. She had a couple clutch hits for us there.”

Lorson will play her final game Thursday. What a way to get there.

In a softball journey filled with so many highs, Lorson reached new heights to help South reach that final destination.

“I’m not going to play at the next level, so to end my career with this group of girls is honestly amazing,” Lorson said. “I could not ask for anything more.”