
The NTL based Lady Lightning 18U White team earned their second USSSA State title in Quakertown this past weekend.
“Every single girl on this team came through at one point or another to make this happen,” said coach Curt Maynard. “They battled. Playing 10 games in three days where five of those games were on Sunday, they were exhausted. We were out of pitching, out of energy, and almost out of time, but they dug deep and refused to leave the complex without that trophy.”
Towanda’s Brooklyn Evans had 14 hits - nine singles, and five doubles - while reaching on an error five times. She also had 11-RBI’s and nine runs scored.
Fellow Black Knight Cadence Wells had 10 hits - eight singles and two doubles - to go with 6-RBI, and three runs scored, while Tae-Lynn Brabant had 12 hits - eight singles and four doubles - while reaching on an error twice. She also had 3-RBI with seven runs scored.
Wyalusing’s Addisyn Bly had 12 hits - seven singles, four doubles, and one home run - plus 8-RBI’s and 14 runs scored.
Troy’s Kali Ayres had 12 hits - nine singles, two doubles, and one home run - while also reaching on an error. She had 11-RBIs and scored 13 times.
Fellow Trojan Caitlynn Knapp had nine hits - six singles, two doubles, and a home run - while also reaching on an error. She had 8-RBIs, and three runs scored.
Troy’s Olivia Champluvier had seven hits - six singles and one double - while also reaching on two errors. She had 3-RBIs, and seven runs scored.
CV’s Ashley Woodring had 10 hits - seven singles and three doubles - while reaching on an error three times. She had 4-RBIs, and seven runs scored.
Elk Lake’s Marissa Horn had seven hits - six singles with a home run - while reaching on an error twice. She had 2-RBIs, and seven runs scored.
North Pocono’s Ellie Ambrosecchia had six hits - four singles and a double - plus reaching on an error twice. She had 7-RBI, and scored nine runs.
Union-Endicott’s Aliza Post was injured but cheered on her teammates.
Brabant got the lion’s share of innings in the circle, tossing 33 to strikeout 21 with eight walks. She had a 4.455 ERA leaving 30 runners on base as she allowed 42 hits and 27 runs, 21 of which were earned.
Horn pitched 12 innings with 11 strikeouts and eight walks. She had a 5.250 ERA, leaving 13 runners on base, with 15 hits and 13 runs, nine of which were earned.
Champluvier tossed eight innings, striking out seven with six walks. She sported a 1.750 ERA with 12 runners left on base. Champluvier also allowed five hits and three runs, two of them earned.
Ayres went the final 1 1/3-innings, with one strikeout and no walks. She allowed two hits.
“The talent on this team is outstanding, but this weekend took more than talent, it took heart, grit, determination, and perseverance to accomplish what these girls did, and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” said fellow coach Dave Evans.
Coach Lloyd Ayres also helped keep the energy up and a positive vibe.
The Lady Lightning will be headed to Ocean City for Nationals in two weeks.
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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMANDA EVANS