Queen Bees: Lady Hornets capture District IV AA crown

By: Ed Weaver  /  May 29, 2015

Never before has the age-old saying of offense wins games and defense wins championships been on display than it was on Thursday, May 28 as the Wellsboro Varsity Softball team defeated Milton 3-1 to bring home the program's first ever District championship in dramatic fashion.

Milton started the top of the seventh trailing 3-1 and reached first base on an error by Freshman Alyssa Yungwirth. After a fly out to Junior Jenny Young, Yungwirth committed another error, this time while fielding, to get the tying run aboard. Everything changed the next at-bat as Senior Baylea Lehman snagged a line-drive at third base then rifled a throw over to Senior Jordan Butters at first for a game-ending double play.

"I moved over because the batter fouled one off earlier and was thinking she would do it again so I was in the right position and knew that the girl on first had a pretty good lead so I just gunned it and Jordan got it," Lehman said. "I just saw Baylea catch the ball and just rushed the bag," Butters said.

For head coach Greg Carr, it was an unexpected, but perfect ending.

"So many scenarios run through your head about what could happen and you never come up with that one," Carr said. "A line-drive double play on a hard hit to your third baseman then she has enough smarts to throw the ball to first to get the out and the games over that quick. I was thinking we could spare a run but its just a crazy game and nothing happens until the ball is pitched and today happened to be our day and I'm so proud of this team."

Carr is not only the girls coach during the regular season, but he is also their coach during the travel-ball season in the summer. Most, if not all, of the girls who play on the team are also a member of the Punishers' travel team and have been playing for years, which is something Coach Carr credits to his team's success.

"Every girl we have is awesome at their position and what they do," Carr explained. "I trust them and they trust themselves. They've played softball with each other for so long that they know where each other is on the field at all times and it was just fun to watch it out here today."

The Lady Hornets started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning after holding Milton scoreless in their first at-bat. Young led off with a walk and Yungwirth hit a single to move Young into scoring position. After a fly out by Junior Sarah Ingerick, Young scored on an error as Junior Alexa Singer hit into a fielders choice to bring the score to 1-0. Wellsboro would add their second run of the inning as Senior Paige Carr singled to score Yungwirth.

Wellsboro added their final run of the game in the bottom of the second inning as Lehman scored on a Young single after being hit by a pitch in her at-bat. Milton scored in the top of the third on a error to bring the score to 3-1, but the Lady Hornets ended the inning on the next at-bat on a ground ball to Ingerick to prevent the rally.

From that moment on, it was a defensive battle and pitchers duel. Milton had their chances to score in the later innings, but the Wellsboro defense prevailed and helped Singer out of jams.

"That's something we've always been know for, both our outfield defense and our infield defense," said Senior Peyton Wilson.

Most of the seniors on the team have been four-year starters, have played countless games in the regular season and off-season travel ball, and winning the program's first District championship is something they will cherish forever.

"It hasn't really set in yet," Wilson continued. "One of the things we said yesterday in practice was we could have a banner for this and it would be the first one ever and we just took a moment to think about that. Coach Ed McNett said that the banner could be there long after us girls are gone and just leaves a huge imprint that you're doing something that could make history and that you've worked your butt off for."

"It means everything," Lehman said. "We've worked so hard between travel ball and here and it just finally paid off."

"I couldn't imagine doing anything better than winning districts with these girls," said Butters.

"It means a lot and I owe everything to the team," said Paige Carr. "We've had a great group of girls the past 10 years and all the hard work has paid off."

"This is what we've been working for the past 6-7 years and its just special that we got to win it together before the seniors graduate," added Singer.

Statistically, Young was 1-for-3 with a run scored, Yungwirth and Ingerick were both 1-for-3, Carr was 1-for-2, Freshman Sydney Tremper was 1-for-1, and Lehman was 1-for-2. Singer earned her 12th win of the season as she pitched a complete game with four hits allowed, one walk, and two strikeouts.

With the win, the Lady Hornets improve to 21-2 and will face District II champion Holy Redeemer on Monday, June 1 at Wilkes University with a 2:00 p.m. start.