It goes beyond producing, too. It’s about making a statement; proving a point.

Williams proved she’s quite a clutch hitter Tuesday at blustery Short Park. And Loyalsock proved it is quite a resilient team.

Williams smashed a go-ahead, two-run double down the right field line in the sixth inning, highlighting a seven run-eruption as Loyalsock stormed back from a five-run deficit that inning, scored seven times and defeated Hughesville, 8-6. Breeze Sauers (2 for 3) ignited the rally with a RBI single, Kinsie Phillips belted a two-run single and then closed the game in the circle as Loyalsock (4-1, 2-0 HAC-III) won a rematch of last year’s District 4 Class AAA championship.

“It was pretty awesome. I’ve been fighting for a spot and to finally be able to prove that I’m able to be out there feels great,” Williams said. “It’s like a spirit lifter. It’s just happiness.”

Easton Waller of Loyalsock pitches to Hughesville Tuesday evening. Loyalsock came from behind to win 8-6. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Loyalsock was feeling the opposite when Hughesville (2-2, 1-2) scored five fifth inning runs and another in the sixth to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 6-1 advantage. The Spartans were on the verge of a breakthrough win against a long-time nemesis but Loyalsock never lost hope. Instead, it fought off the ropes, landed some haymakers and won its third straight regular-season thriller against Hughesville.

“When we were down, 6-1 we could have folded and checked out and been done, game’s over, but they didn’t,” Loyalsock coach Casey Waller said. “I was proud of the girls, and the way they kept competing.”

“It was getting a little frustrating there. We didn’t jump on it at first but that’s the thing about this team: We will come back,” Phillips said. “When we need to be, we’re good.”

Williams was great in her final at-bat. The junior left fielder was hitless in three previous at-bats but stung the ball twice and only a super play by pitcher Addison Henninger prevented from Williams collecting a third-inning two-run single.

So, after Loyalsock had come all the way back to tie, Williams was confident she could put it over the top after a first-pitch bunt rolled foul. From there, Waller had Williams swing away with runners on the corners and Williams validated the switch with one perfect swing.

Maddie Smith of Hughesville pitches to Loyalsock Tuesday evening. Loyalsock came from behind to win 8-6. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williams jumped on the next pitch she saw and scorched it down the right field line, scoring both runners and giving Loyalsock the lead. A player who attacked the offseason the way she did that pitch, Williams put all that work to use at the most opportune time and delivered the biggest hit yet of her high school career.

“I knew that I had been hitting the ball, just hitting it to the wrong spot. I just knew I needed to get the bat to the ball and hit somewhere hard; try to get into a gap,” Williams said. “I just had to clear my mind, stay focused and know what I need to do.”

“Maddy is very coachable. She came through. I was so happy for her,” Waller said. “She’s been hitting great in batting practice the last few weeks. She shortened up her swing up and she barreled that. She went right to the ball. That was a big hit for us right there.”

It was one of three clutch ones Loyalsock delivered that inning. Three errors, including two which erased likely outs to two of the first three batters, opened the door and then the Lancers kicked it down. Sauers lit the fuse when she continued her strong day and roped a RBI single which scored Addi Baroway.

Following an error and Shyla Fulp walk, Phillips fanned the flames for which soon became an inferno. She ripped the first pitch up the middle and into center field, scoring Easton Waller and Fulp. Suddenly, it was a two-run game with no outs.

Ashlynn Bartlett of Hughesville celebrates scoring against Loyalsock Tuesday evening. Loyalsock came from behind to win 8-6. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I know that’s what I’m there for. I know that’s why I’m in that spot in the lineup,” Phillips, who hits third, said. “I’m there to hit girls in and I trust in the girls behind me. I just knew I had to put it in play. We have some quick girls on the bases and they can get in.”

That speed proved especially valuable as the inning progressed. Maddie Wertz followed with a walk and, after the first out was recorded, Sophia Miller hit an RBI grounder. When the throw was off the mark, the tying runner scored. Two pitches later, Williams gave Loyalsock the lead and sent the dugout into a frenzy.

Hughesville, though, did not go quietly. Laurel Bauman fought off two, two-strike pitches and hit an RBI single to bring the tying runner to the plate. Phillips stranded runners on second and third with one out an inning earlier and embraced the challenge again. This time, she induced a game-ending groundout to Waller at shortstop as Loyalsock completed a stunning comeback.

“I’ll do anything to help the team, and I trust in my defense,” Phillips said. “I’m definitely more confident going out there because I know I have my team behind me.”

Hughesville also has a strong team and showed it again, going off in the fifth inning and dramatically changing the game’s complexion. With runners on second and third and first base open, Loyalsock intentionally walked Smith, a two-time all-state selection. It was a smart strategic move, but Henninger still made the Lancers pay, smashing a three-run double down the right field line and giving Hughesville its first lead, 3-1.

An Avery Earnest RBI single capped the five-run rally in which Hughesville sent 10 batters to the plate. The Spartans tacked on another run in the sixth, Addy Knight hitting a lead-off single and scoring when Smith singled and an error was made.

At that point, Loyalsock had not scored a run via a hit, going up 1-0 in the second inning when Addi Barowy came home on a wild pitch. The Lancers were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, too, but then Sauers, Phillips and Williams all delivered in big moments. Considering the opponent, the deficit and being six outs from defeat, it was quite a hill to climb.

But on a day seemingly fit for an Eskimo, Loyalsock put on the snow boots and rose to the top.

“We were believing. We kept our spirits up,” Williams said. “We were getting our energy up and trying to keep the energy up. We were trying to stay loud every inning.

“It was a great win.”

Hughesville 000 051 0–6 10 5

Loyalsock 010 007 x–8 6 1

Addison Henninger, Maddie Smith (4) and Kiana Peck. Easton Waller, Kinsie Phillips (5) and Shyla Fulp. W–Phillips. L–Smith.

Top Hughesville hitters: Smith 2-3, 2B, R; Ashlynn Barlett 2-4, 2B, 2R; Henninger 1-4, 2B, 3 RBIs, R; Kenna Fisher 1-3, BB, R; Avery Bergey 1-3, RBI; Laurel Bauman 1-3, BB, R; Addy Knight 1-4, BB; Peck 1-4. Top Loyalsock hitters: Breeze Sauers 2-4, RBI, R; Phillips 1-3, 2 RBIs, R; Maddy Williams 1-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Sophia Miller 1-2, BB, RBI, R; Waller 1-3, BB, R; Fulp 3 BB, R.

Records: Loyalsock 4-1, 2-0 HAC-III. Hughesville 2-2, 1-2.