NTL SOFTBALL: TOWANDA COMES UP JUST SHORT AGAINST WARRIOR RUN IN D4 SEMIFINAL (2023-05-26)

Northern Tier Sports Report
WILLIAMSPORT — For five innings it looked like Towanda had another upset brewing, a 4-run bottom sixth from Warrior Run ultimately ended the Black Knights’ playoff run, as they fell to the Defenders 8-4 in District IV, Class AAA semifinal softball action Friday.

“We came out pretty strong and held with Warrior Run until the sixth inning, where we, unfortunately, had a couple errors that led to their runs, and we just couldn’t recover,” said Towanda coach Caitlyn Crawford. “Their defense had a couple great plays, as well, and it just seemed we couldn’t get the ball to fall in the gaps.”

Brynn Woodruff (1-for-3) had a solo home run while Brooklyn Evans (2-for-4) had a double with two runs scored.

Kynlee Kunkle (1-for-3) also had a double with an RBI, while Brea Overpeck (1-for-2) scored a run, and drove in two. TaeLynn Brabant (1-for-3) also had a hit.

Greenland started, and went the first four innings to take the loss. She struck out seven with no walks, six hits, and four runs, one of which was earned.

Aleah Johnson went the final two innings, striking out three with three hits, no walks, and four unearned runs.

Towanda started strong, getting a run in the top of the first as Johnson would reach on a 1-out error, followed by Overpeck getting walked.

After Johnson was caught at third on a fielder’s choice for a second out Kunkle rocked a double to bring in Overpeck for the 1-0 lead.

The game stayed that way until the top of the third when Evans led off with a double. After an out Evans would score on an error off the bat of Overpeck for the 2-0 lead.

The Defenders would use two singles and an error in the bottom half to knot the game up at 2-2.

That didn’t last long as Woodruff took an 0-2 pitch over the left field fence for a 1-out home run to put the Knights back up 3-2.

Warrior Run, though, answered in the bottom half as two hits and an error allowed them to take a 4-3 lead.

Towanda came right back in the top of the fifth as Evans led off with a single. After an out Overpeck would drive her home on a hit for the 4-4 tie.

The Defenders would load the bases with 1-out in the bottom half of the inning, but Towanda’s defense held, getting a strikeout, then a ground out to get out of the jam.

The sixth is when things went off the rails for Towanda with Warrior Run scoring four runs - all with two outs.

They just couldn’t get out of the inning with a 2-out error starting things off. 

A hit by pitch followed, setting up an RBI single to make it 5-4. Two hits later it was 8-4 Warrior Run.

In the top of the seventh Towanda went down in order as they saw their season come to an end.

But it was a strong end for the Knights, who, despite needing to win their final game of the season, came up just short of making a district final.

“I am very proud of this team, and we definitely developed a lot this season,” said Crawford. “I think this is only the start of a successful future for the Towanda softball program. The girls had a great run this season, and they should be proud of themselves.”

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PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM