Bellefonte late comeback attempt falls just short in D6 title game

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: May 25, 2022

By Kenny Varner

LORETTO – They went out fighting!!

Wednesday after the Bellefonte battled Central Mountain for the District 6 4A title.

After falling behind 5-0 early, the Lady Raiders stood tall and battled back late to cut into the lead before running out of time, falling 5-3 at Saint Francis University.

“They (Central Mountain) just won. This was a a game with two really good high school teams and I was a very good game and they came out on top. They are a really good team. There is no hanging our heads over this one,” said Bellefonte coach Travis Foster. “Yes, it hurts for Tori, our senior, because it’s her last one but it’s a good squad and to come out and put up a show like we did today with seven hits and three runs. If we score a couple late with the bases loaded, who knows? Who knows what would’ve happened. They capitalized on some early situations and we capitalized on late ones. They just had a couple more than we did.”

Central Mountain got the game started posting two in the first inning.

Caitlyn Watson started off the game with a walk.

Teammate Allison Lenninger followed in Watson’s footsteps as she walked, putting runners on first and second.

Both moved up into scoring position on a wild pitch.

Harley Kunes smoked a 2-RBI triple to clear the bases, making it 2-0.

Bellefonte dug in and refused the Wildcats any more runs in the inning.

Central Mountain’s pitcher Adalyn McKeague had things under control early, holding the Lady Raiders scoreless in the top of the second.

The Wildcats added three more in the bottom of the inning.

McKeague helped her cause with a lead off single. She was replaced on base by courtesy runner, Taylor Wahlers.

Gracie Saar joined Wahlers on base, roping a single of her own, putting runners on the corners.

Wahlers took advantage of a Bellefonte wild pitch to score.

On the play, Saar moved up to third.

Watson put runners on first and third with a walk.

Kunes again came up big for the Lady Wildcats notching a 2-RBI single, giving her four of her teams five RBIs.

After a pitching change, Bellefonte gave the ball to Carly Clarkson and the Red Raiders started their comeback.

After a diving catch by Madison Ripka, getting her team out of the inning, Bellefonte seemed rejuvenated and ready to March it’s way back into the game.

In the sixth, Bellefonte was able to get on the scoreboard when Emma Shawley singled in Tori Reichert, making it a 5-1 game.

Bellefonte had the bases loaded but McKeague was able to keep the damage to a minimum.

Bellefonte rallied in the top of the seventh, Maria Cotter and Madison Melius scored to cut the lead to 5-3 but the Red Raiders ran out of time as the Wildcats held on for the win.