In a matchup of returning state finalists, Montoursville was going to need a few players to step up in a big way if they were to hand Mount Carmel its first loss of the season at Giles Field in Montoursville on Wednesday. Sure enough, two Warriors stepped up in a big way, one expected and one unexpected, as Montoursville beat Mount Carmel, 3-0, to tie the Red Tornadoes for first place in the HAC II. 

Montoursville ace Logan Kirby was sensational once again. The senior was in total command all day long after surrendering two baserunners to start the game. His curveball, seldom-used this year, was his standout pitch in the complete game shutout.

“I’ve mainly been throwing fastball and slider all season, and I hadn’t really been using my curveball,” Kirby said. “I talked about it a little and figured I should start throwing it more since I’ve thrown it my whole life. It just kept working. After that, I was like, that’s my pitch, I guess.”

The curveball not only got Mount Carmel off-balance, but sped up his fastball. Given that Kirby could throw that curveball for a strike in seemingly any count, opposing hitters had to guard against both the fastball and the breaking ball every pitch. 

“I think him being able to throw his curveball in the counts he wanted was the great equalizer today. It kept them off balance. They have some kids who can play, and they’ve been putting up some big offensive numbers,” Montoursville coach Jeremy Eck said. “To keep a team like that off the board is a testament to him and the hard work and time he’s put into his game.”

Kirby’s dominance should come as no surprise, as he’s long been one of the area’s best pitchers. But a 3-3 game from first-time varsity starter Austin Davidson was something even the most ardent Warrior faithful couldn’t have seen coming. His single in the second inning set up the Warriors for two runs, more than enough for Kirby. 
Kirby started the inning reaching on an error. With one out, Davidson came up for his first varsity at-bat as a starter and socked a base hit to right field that moved Kirby to third. Then Davidson escaped what looked to be a sure out when he hesitated on a fake-bunt steal play, ending up safe at second and scoring Kirby from third base.

A few batters later, Elijah Eck singled home Davidson for a 2-0 lead. 

“I’m coming up looking for a fastball. He gave me one about chest-high, and I fouled it straight back. I felt like I was on him. He threw the next pitch on the outside corner–it wasn’t my pitch,” Davidson said. “With two strikes, I shortened up my approach. He gave me a fastball low, and I put it into right field to move the runner to third. That’s what I had to do.”

Montoursville’s offense had been sputtering, and Eck decided it was time to give Davidson a chance.

“I’ve coached Austin for a long time, and it’s kind of funny, he’s never done anything wrong to not get his opportunity. The problem is, at the positions he plays, he’s been behind some really, really good players. Sometimes you just have to wait, and it just hadn’t happened for him yet,” Eck said. “I was frustrated the other night and decided halfway through the game to give him his opportunity, and it was against a really good opponent. He came out, got us going, and did exactly what we needed him to do. I told the guys after the game that he’s a junior getting his first start against a quality team, and he stepped up and delivered.” 

That was all the run support Kirby needed. The first time these two teams met — a 9-6 Mount Carmel win in Montoursville’s second game of the season — Kirby was ineligible to pitch. He more than made up for that with a virtuoso performance on Wednesday. He struck out six, allowed just four hits, and walked two. He came out for the seventh inning with just 12 pitches remaining before the 100-pitch limit and finished the game with seven pitches to spare.

Considering the opponent, it was as fine of a pitching performance as he’s had in his illustrious career. 

“I don’t really care what their record is or where they are in the state. I’m just going to come out and do my thing. I’ve played in big games and pitched against good teams, so there’s nothing new,” Kirby said. “It’s kind of second nature, just come out, give them what I’ve got, and see what happens.”

Montoursville got their third run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Davidson singled with two outs, Jonah Heddings hit a ball through the right side that landed Davidson on third base, and Elijah Eck hit a sharp ground ball to third that was mishandled, allowing the run to score. 

Montoursville 3, Mount Carmel 0

Mount Carmel 000 000 0 — 0 4 2

Montoursville 020 001 x — 3 6 0

Lukas Carpenter, Aidan Brokenshire (6) and Jason Klokis. Logan Kirby and Noah Kirby. W: Kirby. L: Carpenter.

Top Mount Carmel hitters: Brody Brinkash 2-2, BB. Top Montoursville hitters: Austin Davidson 3-3, 2 runs; Elijah Eck 1-3, RBI.