EVAN WHEATON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville players react after a run is scored during Thursday's PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinals.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN–Kane Moore has made big plays and delivered key hits throughout his high school career. A hunch and a slight adjustment proved every bit as crucial.

Boiling Springs had cut a three-run deficit to one in the fourth inning of Thursday’s Class AAAA state quarterfinals when Chase Flor scorched a rocket which looked destined for center field. At that moment, it appeared the Bubblers would take the lead.

Then Moore sprang into action. The senior second baseman had moved slightly to his right before the pitch and it made all the difference as he raced toward the hole, stuck out his glove as far as it could go and snared the liner.

A batter later, Neill induced a grounder to Moore and Montoursville preserved the lead. It was a game-changing sequence because Neill threw 3 2/3 no-hit innings and the Warriors won, 4-2 while reaching a second straight Final 4.

“I kind of put myself in a spot where I thought he would hit it and I guessed right,” Moore said. “I went up and stuck my glove up and it found my glove. After that inning, I was like, ‘We’ve got this.'”

They did.

Montoursville never trailed and earned a spot in Monday’s Eastern Region final against Holy Ghost Prep. Take away Moore’s fabulous play and it might be different.

One never knows how a game will unfold following a specific moment, but if Moore did not morph into Roberto Alomar at the perfect time, Boiling Springs would have at least tied the game. And, with speed on the bases, it likely taken the lead.

From the second through fifth inning, Boiling Spring starter Torin Williamson, retired 11 straight batters. So, Moore coming up huge was just the spark Montoursville needed as it fought off the Bubblers and reached a third Final 4 since 2018.

The only one seemingly unimpressed with the play was the one who made it.

“I think I’ll forget that one,” said Moore, who graduated later Thursday night. “It was a great play but maybe if the game gets brought up (later), I’ll remember it.”

His teammates certainly did. It was a game-changer not just because of what it denied Boiling Springs but also because of the jolt it provided Neill.

The junior pitcher had just entered in the fourth with two runners on and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with one out. Moore’s gem helped Neill settle in and he went into turbo-mode from there.

It also opened up all the possibilities which did not exist with one out. Now, an out would end the inning instead of potentially bringing home the tying run. Four pitches later, Neill induced the grounder to Moore and Boiling Springs never touched him from there.

“That was a huge play,” center fielder Brody Aldenderfer said after hitting a two-run double. “That got us two outs and then a ground ball does it; a flyball does it. That was a phenomenal play.”

Moore has been making plays throughout his scholastic career and his emergence a year ago was a major reason Montoursville reached the state final. The second baseman also can play in the outfield, has a .487 on-base percentages and is a player who does so many little things right.

Thursday, Moore mastered the big thing and made the game’s biggest play at the best time.

“It gives you a little confidence. Their No. 1 batter hitter smokes a ball at KJ and he catches it,” Neill said. “It’s just the sense of relief that you have a great defense behind you all the time. It’s awesome to see.”