In their latest playoff game, the Williamsport Millionaire softball soundly beat Wilkes-Barre in six innings to the tune of 10-0 in the District 2-4 Class 6A playoffs.

It was an impressive showing at the plate by the Millionaires. Kinsley Cannode, Brielle Thornton, and Katelyn Solomon each hit a home run – with Thornton’s and Solomon’s coming in the fifth inning. The latter with a runner on base for an additional RBI.

“The one girl had her first home run as a high school freshman,” Williamsport coach Scott Stugart said referring to Thornton. “It was pretty exciting for our first playoff.”

Williamsport had 10 hits as Brielle Thorton went 2 for 3 with a double, home run, two RBIs and two stolen bases and Katelyn Solomon went 2 for 3 with a double, home run, two RBIs and run scored. Emma Vollman also went 2 for 3 for Williamsport, collecting a walk, two stolen bases and a run.

The Millionaires saw Kinsley Connode go 1 for 2 with a home run, RBI, three runs scored, a stolen base and walk, Brenna Beck went 1 for 3 with a double, two RBIs, a walk and run scored, Zaelana Minor went 1 for 3 with a double and run scored and Robinson was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Williamsport’s Payton Pennycoff was hit by a pitch and reached base and Bella Reddy had an RBI.

The game started with a strong opening for the Millionaires as pitcher Ashlyn Robinson, made quick work of her opposition in the first inning. The first two batters struck out, then after walking the next batter, Millionaires’ catcher Payton Pennycoff threw her out when she attempted to steal second base.

Things heated up in the bottom half of the first inning when the Millionaires put two runs on the scoreboard. Emma Vollman slammed a ball into the outfield but later got caught at second when Cannode hit an infield grounder. Later Brenna Beck hit a double, sending Cannode home. Robinson sacrificed herself to bring Beck home, putting the Millionaires up 2-0 at the end of the first inning.

The powerful first inning showing set the stage for the rest of the game.

“One thing we focus on all the time is just to play with the inning. When you look at the whole score, sometimes you might be down a lot, you might be up a lot,” Stugart said. “But we just score this inning. Let’s win this. Let’s win the inning.”

Millionaires kept their lead for the rest of the game, playing it inning by inning.

The Millionaires and their first home run in the third inning. Cannode smashed a ball over the centerfield fence. The Wilkes-Barre defense then sparked up with a double play to close the inning.

The team did not let this break their spirits or change the direction of the game. Playing inning by inning as Stugart suggested, they continued dominating their opponent.

Hope Barke (1 for 3) and Madalyn McGuinness (1 for 2) were the only batters to record singles for Wilkes-Barre.

“We try to shorten things up a little bit later in the season. Instead of going two hours, going an hour and a half,” Stugart said on their success, “But for the most part, we just tried to get them to keep sharp, but not wear them out. Especially late in the year when you’ve got to play so many games.”

The last two home runs were scored in inning five by Thornton and Solomon. At the end of the fifth, the score was 8-0, leading to an eventual early end of the game at the bottom of inning six when the Millionaires were up by ten runs and put the mercy rule into effect

“We’re going to enjoy this win tonight, for sure,” Stugart said. “And just keep doing what we’re doing. Although, we probably need to practice on a dirt field, since it’s different from our turf.”

Williamsport 10, Wilkes-Barre 0

(6 INNINGS)

Wilkes-Barre 000 000 — 0 2 2

Williamsport 211 132 — 10 10 0

Jordan Prushinski, Kayce Martin 95) and Madalynn McGuinness. Ashlyn Robinson and Payton Pennycoff. W: Robinson. L: Prushinski.

Top Wilkes-Barre hitters: Hope Barke 1-3; Madalyn McGuinness 1-2. Top Williamsport hitters: Brielle Thorton 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 SBs; Kinsley Cannode 1-2, HR, RBI, 3 runs, BB, SB; Katelyn Solomon 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs, run; Brenna Beck 1-2, 2B, 2 RBIs, BB, run; Zaelana Minor 1-3, 2B, run; Emma Vollman 2-3, 2 SBs, BB, run; Ashlyn Robinson 1-4, RBI; Payton Pennycoff HBP; Bella Reddy, RBI.