For Friel, that means making the most of her senior year experiences. And while Sheleman is doing the same, hers is more about jumping on strikes when they come her way in the batter’s box.

Both certainly achieved their goals Tuesday against visiting Hughesville.

Friel produced a virtuoso pitching performance, throwing a three-hit shutout and Sheleman collected five RBIs as Montoursville shined in all facets and blanked Hughesville, 7-0. Friel struck out nine, Sheleman, Trinity Belle, Emily George and Karsynn Stone all generated multi-hit games and Montoursville made an early-season statement against a 3A 2025 state qualifier.

“I just want to play my hardest because it’s my last year,” Friel said. “I want to make memories with my team.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Trinity Belle (12) is congratulated by her first base coach after hgtting a single with runs in the fourth inning.

“It’s been a little frustrating not seeing the pitches I wanted to see, but today was different from the start,” Sheleman said after going 2 for 4. “They were throwing me a lot of strikes, so it was good to get out there and hit the ball.”

Sheleman followed George’s third-inning RBI single with a two-run single, capping a three-run rally which put Montoursville (2-1, 1-0 HAC-III) ahead to stay. Stone (2 for 2) ignited a run of four straight hits an inning later and her RBI single made it, 4-0 before Sheleman lasered a three-run double which pushed the lead to 7-0.

The way Friel was throwing that lead might as well been 27-0.

From the first pitch, Friel was dialed in, mowing through Hughesville on 10 pitches in the first inning with two strikeouts. She retired the first 10 batters she faced, fanning six, and took a one-hitter into the seventh inning.

“Julie is locked in. She’s coming out ready to compete,” Montoursville coach Mikayla Arnold said. “That kid wants a district championship this year more than anything. She wants the ball and what’s really awesome is that more than anything her communication and leadership are at a high level this year.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville second baseman Addison Henninger tries to field a pop-up in the fifth inning.

Friel was injured during the offseason, but the added rest may have served as a blessing in disguise. A natural worker, Friel appears fresh early this season and her velocity has increased. Mix that with her other pitches, quality location and a cool under fire demeanor and Friel has looked dominant in two home starts, not allowing an earned run. She also has thrown 13 straight scoreless innings there.

So good was Friel Tuesday that she went to three-ball counts just twice and threw 63 of 86 pitches for strikes. That included first pitch strikes to 18 of 25 batters and Friel also induced 14 swings and misses. All this against a team which opened the season with 16 runs and 12 hits at South Williamsport. All Friel allowed this time was a Kenna Fisher double and Ashlynn Barlett and Addison Henninger singles.

“Everything was working and we were all working together,” Friel said. “Everyone was playing good defense and when we got those runs it helped because I knew that if they did get one, it didn’t matter that much because we could get it back.”

“She has come out every practice and wants to get better,” Arnold said. “She’s putting in the work and she’s making improvements game by game.”

Sheleman has taken a similar approach throughout her scholastic career, becoming a two-time all-stater who will play at Massachusetts next spring. Sheleman put together one of the state’s best offensive seasons in any classification a year ago and that has made opponents especially careful about how they pitch her.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville short stop Adelyn Knight (11) fields a line drive for an out in the fifth inning.

Sheleman was walked four times the first two games, but still went 3 for 4. Hughesville went at the third baseman but it was not about Sheleman’s power but her intelligence which stood out on her first multi-run hit.

There, Sheleman faced a full count and was ahead on a well-placed pitch toward the outside corner. Instead of trying to crush the ball, Sheleman shortened up, went the opposite way and dropped her two-run single the opposite way into right field.

“It was outside and I started my swing way too early,” Sheleman said. “I was already early, so I had to wait even longer and I just kind of threw my hands at it.”

When Sheleman came up a batter later, Hughesville had no choice but pitch to her since the bases were loaded. This time, the four-year starter immediately saw what she wanted and smashed her three-run double deep toward the center field fence.

“It was there, so I was trying to wait on the ball,” Sheleman said. “I was a little early my first two at-bats, getting behind a little bit, but I timed it up nice and got it.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Julie Friel (7) fields a pop-up for an out in the fifth inning.

Sheleman cleared the proverbial table after the bottom and top of the lineup came together and set it. Stone shined in the No. 9 spot, bunting over Avery Stahl, who drew a lead-off walk, and helping ignite the three-run, third inning rally. The next inning, Stone hit an RBI single that scored Emma Ammerman who opened the inning with a walk.

Stahl made the game’s most impressive defensive play, robbing Addy Knight of what looked like a sure double and possibly a triple in the sixth inning. Stahl, a converted infielder, looks like a natural in left field and sprinted back toward the left-center field fence, sticking her glove up high and making the catch which prevented Hughesville from gaining late-game momentum.

“Avery gets a great read on the ball,” Arnold said. “That was an incredible catch.”

Stahl also was part of that bottom order which turned the lineup over so effectively. That was huge because Belle and George went 6 for 6 over their final three at-bats, scoring four times. Both also stole bases; Belle doubled and George dropped a perfect bunt single. The Warriors hit well, but more importantly, did so in timely situations, starting the game 6 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Belle is a freshman and George a senior. That shines a light on the Montoursville dynamic with the team having no juniors, five seniors and comprising mostly young underclassmen. The team’s composition means both the present and future could be bright.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville third baseman Kayleigh Sheleman (4) fields a pop up in the fourth

It’s one step at a time but playing so well against a strong team like Hughesville certainly represented a big step forward.

“I feel like the more we go on with games the better we’ll get,” Friel said. ” As we go on, they’re progressing and everyone is working together.”

“The dynamic on the team this year is extremely healthy. The girls compete with each other, and they know there are more than nine players that can take that field on any given day and they work for it and they support each other and learn from each other,” Arnold said. “Those seniors are doing a really great job leading so far.”

Hughesville 000 000 0–0 3 0

Montoursville 003 400 x–7 10 0

Addison Henninger, Maddie Smith (5) and Kiana Peck. Julie Friel and Danni Detato. W–Friel. L–Henninger.

Top Hughesville hitters: Kenna Fisher 1-3, 2B; Henninger 1-3; Ashlynn Barlett 1-3. Top Montoursville hitters: Trinity Belle 3-4, 2R; Emily George 3-4, RBI, 2R; Kayleigh Sheleman 2-4, 2B, 5 RBIs; Karsynn Stone 2-2, RBI, R.

Records: Montoursville 2-1, 1-0 HAC-III. Hughesville 1-1, 0-1.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville left fielder Lyla Kinney chases down a fly ball for an out in the third inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville short stop Maddie Smith (10) fields a ground ball as Montoursville's Kayleigh Sheleman (4) heads for third base in the third inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville second baseman Trinity Belle (12) fields a ground ball for an out at first base in the first inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville third baseman Kayleigh Sheleman throws to first base for an out in the first inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun -Gazette Hughesville third baseman Kenna Fisher (21) throws to first base for an out in the first inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville pitcher Julie Friel competes on Tuesday.