And those shoes appeared to fit Lambert perfectly.

The South Williamsport pitcher threw a complete-game, three-hitter — all singles — with 11 strikeouts as Lambert helped South Williamsport earn a 7-2 District 12 major softball elimination game win against Loyalsock to keep its postseason run alive.

“She did awesome and she is our second pitcher. Our first pitcher is no vacation, so she had big shoes to fill and she did it,” South Williamsport manager Hilarie German said. “It was a good team win. Ava pitched excellent. They finally played as a team. We had some first-game jitters (in last game) and they came out and were ready to play today.”

The loss eliminates Loyalsock from the district tournament while South Williamsport advances to face either Williamsport Area or Montgomery in another elimination game on Friday evening at Loyalsock at 5:45 p.m.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Clara Keeler (8) connects for a two-run RBI triple in the first inning.

South Williamsport came out strong in the first inning with a two-run effort to set the tone and get on the board early. After a pop-up to the pitcher that resulted in a double play to open the inning, South Williamsport had a walk by Kinley Barrett and single by Ivy Schaffner to put two runners on. Both stole a base to get in scoring position before a huge stand-up triple by Clara Keeler into left-center field brought in both runners with two outs.

“It’s always easier to pitch when you have some runs on the board. We always try to do that for our pitchers,” German said. “When they get on the board early, they seem to have a little bit more confidence. So that was huge for them. So they get to play with ease when they have some runs on the board.”

South would add to its lead with a run in the top of top of the second inning when Sophia Snyder would eventually score on a throwing error. After she reached on a single and was moved to second on a walk by Keelie McLaughlin, Snyder would then score on a error for a 3-0 lead.

In the third inning, South Williamsport added another run. Kloey Smith reached on a shallow single before Kinley Barrett had a sacrifice to bring in Smith and make it 4-0. Another run ensued in the fourth when Calrie Pinkerton reached on an error and would then score on another error.

“Well, Loyalsock is always a good competitor for us. In the regular season, it was our only loss, so they really wanted Loyalsock and they got it,” German said. “We always say lets play them and win when it matters and they answered tonight. They did just that.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Sammi Sauers (13) safely steals second base as South Williamsport short stop Kloey Smith (78) tries to field the throw in the second inning of the Little League District 12 Major Softball play-offs at South Williamsport Thursday.

Despite a 5-0 deficit late in the game, Loyalsock never stopped trying to battle back. And in the bottom of the fourth inning, Loyalsock finally chipped away at that lead.

“When you go down early, every inning you come in you want a run or two, chip away and put the pressure back on the defense,” Loyalsock manager Pat Moriarity said. “We were finally able to do that in the fourth, but just couldn’t get anymore. That’s just how it goes sometimes.”

In that fourth inning, Loyalsock had its longest inning with six batters reaching the plate. A walk put Hannah Moriarity on and, after stealing second, was driven in with one out on a hard single into left field to make it a 5-1 deficit. A walk followed to put Sammi Sauers on base. And, with Engler on second, she’d steal third and Saures took off for second. The throw to get Sauers out allowed Engler to then score and quickly cut the deficit down to 5-2 and gave Loyalsock a bit of momentum.

But that momentum would be short lived as a grounder and strikeout ended the inning and Loyalsock wouldn’t get another runner to reach base after that as South Williamsport closed out the rest of the game.

“Just keep it calm. It’s just one error sometimes turns into multiple errors, so just knowing that those two runs didn’t mean anything and to get that out was all that they needed,” German said on not allowing another run to score. “They needed to just know those two runs didn’t mean anything, we just needed to get back out there and we did.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Kloey Smith (78) beats Loyalsock first baseman Kira Baysore (35) to the bag for a single in the third inning of the Little League District 12 Major Softball play-offs at South Williamsport Thursday.

Loyalsock would go three up, three down in the fifth and sixth inning, the final three all being struck out swinging.

In addition to her 11 strikeouts, Lambert issued just two walks and her defense did the rest behind her, taking care of grounders and fly balls to secure outs.

“That’s where we struggled (against Keystone). We had major errors, infield errors, and they answered back here tonight with making sure that they made the plays when they put it in play,” German said. “They did that. It was a team effort for sure.”

Schaffner finished the game 2 for 2 with a triple, stolen base, walk and two runs scored for South Williamsport; Clara Keeler went 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBIs; Smith went 1 for 3; Kinley Barrett was 1 for 2 with a stolen base, run and RBI; Carlie Pinkerton had a single with two RBIs; Sophia Snyder finished 1 for 3; Keelie McLaughlin was 1 for 2 with two stolen bases and Lambert had a walk.

Loyalsock was led by Engler (1 for 2, RBI, run), Sauers (1 for 1, walk, stolen base) and Hadley Guild (1 for 2, stolen base) while Moriarity reached on a walk, had a stolen base and scored.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Kloey Smith (78) is safe at home as Loyalsock catcher Ella Engler (3) tries to field the throw in the third inning of the Little League District 12 Major Softball play-offs at South Williamsport Thursday.

Loyalsock’s all-star run may have ended before it had wanted, but Moriarity was more than proud of how Loyalsock’s players performed and composed themselves throughout the district tournament.

“The season’s end is a grind. I think we had two weeks to start on practices and the girls worked really hard,” Moriarity said. “It was a lot of fun coaching them the last three weeks with games and practices. They worked really hard all the way until the end.”

For South Williamsport, the attention now turns to Friday where it hopes to keep its luck going in the elimination bracket with a game vs. Williamsport Area or Montgomery.

“They’re hot now. Of course they’re on a high right now, so they want to play. Playing’s the fun part,” German said. “We always say the practice is hard, the fun time is here, so they’re ready to play.”

South Williamsport 7, Loyalsock 2

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock pitcher Allie Thomas (19) throws to first base on a single in the third inning.

South 211 102 — 7 9 0

Loyalsock 000 200 — 2 3 3

Sammi Saures, Allie Thomas (3) and Ella Engler. Ava Lambert and Ivy Schaffner. W: Lambert. L: Sauers.

Top South Williamsport hitters: Kloey Smith 1-3, run; Kinley Barrett 1-2, BB, SB, RBI, run; Ivy Schaffner 2-2, 3B, SB, BB, 2 runs; Clara Keeler 2-3, 3B, 2 RBIs; Carlie Pinkerton 1B, 2 RBIs, run; Sophia Snyder 1-3, SB, run; Keelie McLaughlin 1-2, 2 SB; Ava Lambert BB. Top Loyalsock hitters: Hannah Moriarity BB, SB, run; Ella Engler 1-2, RBI, run; Sammi Saures 1-1, BB, SB; Hadley Guild 1-2, SB.

Next game: South Williamsport vs. Williamsport Area/Montgomery winner at Loyalsock, Friday, 5:45 p.m.; Loyalsock is eliminated from the District 12 tournament.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock second baseman Hannah Moriarity (8) fields a pop-up in the fourth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock pitcher Allie Thomas (19) throws to first base for an out in the fifth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Reanna German (14) is tagged out at first base by Loyalsock first baseman Kira Baysore (35) in the fifth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport catcher Ivy Schaffner (59) fields a pop-up for an out in the fifth inning of the Little League District 12 Major Softball play-offs at South Williamsport Thursday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Hannah Moriority (8) celebrates the teams win over Loyalsock in the District 12 Softball Majors play-offs at South Williamsport Thursday.