DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Warrior Run's Maura Woland poses after helping the Defenders beat Montoursville.

Maura Woland matched her season home run total, smashing the first pitch she saw Thursday over Elm Park’s center field fence. The Warrior Run senior exceeded that total two innings later, then tripled it the next time up.

Three at-bats, three home runs, three unforgettable moments.

And an unforgettable Warrior Run win.

Woland crushed three home runs, producing all her team’s runs; Mackenzie Litchard threw a brilliant six-hitter and Warrior Run’s Upset Queens did it again, edging Montoursville, 5-4, in the District 4 Class AAA semifinals. The seventh-seeded Defenders (13-9) have taken out HAC-III champion Loyalsock and runner-up Montoursville, teams which went 4-0 against it during the regular season, over a three-day span and are both district final and state tournament-bound after erasing a 4-1 third-inning deficit.

“My adrenaline was just so high. I really couldn’t believe it,” Woland said. “I’ve never had a game like this before.”

Few have.

A four-year starter, Woland helped Warrior Run make a similar Cinderella run three years ago when it reached the championship and states as a No. 6 seed. This run has been every bit as exciting with a team that started 7-9 playing its best softball at the perfect time. Warrior Run will play Mifflinburg for the district title Tuesday, back at Elm Park.

It has been a team effort with players throughout the roster embracing big moments, but a consummate leader certainly led the way against Montoursville.

Woland put Warrior Run ahead 1-0 with her first home run before her two-run, no-doubt last to right-center in the third cut the deficit to 4-3. After Ella Printenzhoff hit a two-out single and extended the fifth inning, Woland went Reggie Jackson and walloped her third home run over the left field fence.

“She really has put in so much work over the years,” Litchard said after throwing her second straight postseason gem. “She really deserved it.”

“She’s been a leader the last few years, both vocal and with her performance,” Warrior Run coach Mark Evans said. “It’s great to see her on this stage.”

It was even more impressive considering who Warrior Run was facing.

Julie Friel became one of District 4’s best pitchers this season and was outstanding again Thursday, throwing a five-hitter and striking out 13 two days after shutting out No. 3 Towanda. Friel overpowered Warrior Run the last time they had met, fanning Woland three times and throwing a one-hitter with nine strikeouts in a 1-0 victory.

Given a second chance, Woland delivered in the biggest way possible. Again,and again and again.

The second time up, Woland fought back from an 0-2 count, laid off three tempting pitches and then launched her home run which followed Skye Reigle’s double and made it, 4-3.

After Printzenhoff singled through the right side and kept the fifth inning going, Woland faced a 1-1 count when she jacked her third bomb over the left field fence, her teammates pouring from the dugout to celebrate and fans left in seeming awe.

“I just thought to myself, I just to put the ball in play to move my teammates,” Woland said. “I’ll do anything I can to help my teammates and that’s what I did.”

So did Litchard and her defense.

Reigle and Woland were among the fielders who made some outstanding plays, including Reigle turning a double play by snaring a line drive and throwing to second in the fifth and helping Litchard work out of a two runners on with no outs jam.

And after the second inning, Litchard went into lock-down mode. Again. Two days after tying up a potent Loyalsock offense, Litchard continued throwing the best softball of her life, allowing just one hit after the second inning and none over the final three. She also struck out 10, ending the game with a perfectly placed pitch on the outside corner.

“It’s awesome,” Litchard said. “It just feels so good to get any win, but especially wins after we came off a really bad loss and proving that we can do it.”

Litchard repeatedly has proved throughout the week she can deliver in the biggest moments. After throwing six straight scoreless innings to close out Loyalsock Tuesday, Litchard was sensational in tense moments, forcing Montoursville into a 1 for 10 performance with runners in scoring position.

Litchard kept Warrior Run within one run in the third when she stranded runners on second and third with no outs. Two innings later, she preserved the lead with the help of Reigle’s highlight play and from there shut down Montoursville, allowing only an intentional walk.

“I really just tried to forget about them. I feel like if I focus on the batter, I can get some strikeouts and pop outs,” Litchard said. “It’s ignoring them and kind of forgetting they are there and focusing on the batter.”

Montoursville was focused on erasing the early 1-0 deficit and all-state third baseman Kayleigh Sheleman did by tattooing a two-out home run over the center field fence two days after beating Towanda with a home run. An inning later, Friel and Danni Detato singled and Rylee Reeder, who shined in right field, made it 2-1 with an RBI fielder’s choice before Emily George rocked a two-run triple, extending the lead to, 4-1.

Sheleman doubled in the fourth inning, so when she came up as the tying run in the seventh with two outs and nobody on base, Warrior Run was not rolling the dice. The strategy paid off as Litchard sealed victory with a strikeout.

“Julie Friel has given us fits over the years. She’s a competitor Even after last home run she gave up there was no change of expression,” Evans said. “I’d definitely take her on any team I coach. Kayleigh Sheleman can change the complexion of a game and send you home to the offseason. We weren’t going to let her do that.”

Warrior Run was not going to let others dictate what it could do this postseason. The Defenders did not care what had happened in previous games against Loyalsock and Montoursville, only one what could be.

From 7-9 to the district final and state tournament, this has suddenly become a special season for a team which has produced two straight special performances.

“We have nothing to lose,” Woland said. “We came into this thinking 0-0, it’s a new season. Now we’re 2-0, so let’s keep it going.”

Warrior Run 102 020 0–5 5 2

Montoursville 130 000 0–4 6 0

Mackenzie Litchard and Rylee Reeder. Julie Friel and Danni Detato. W–Litchard. L–Friel.

Top Warrior Run hitters: Maura Woland 3-3, 3 HR, 5 RBIs, 3R, BB; Skyle Reigle 1-3, 2B, R; Ella Printzenhoff 1-4, R. Top Montoursville hitters: Kayleigh Sheleman 2-2, HR, 2B, RBI, R, 2BB; Emily George 1-4, 3B, 2 RBIs; Friel 1-3; Detato 1-3, R; March Manotti 1-3.

Records: Warrior Run 13-9. Montoursville 15-7.