WILLIAMSPORT - Southern Columbia did everything right Thursday in its District 4 Class A final with Northeast Bradford.
The Tigers used a big hit to score first. The defense didn't commit a single error, and pitcher Mallory Tomaschik didn't walk a batter.
Everything was lined up for Southern Columbia to win its first-ever district title.
And then with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Panthers took it all away with an inside-the-park home run with one on to win the title 2-1 at Williamsport's Elm Park.
It's only the Tigers' third loss of the season, and while they were hoping for more than a runner-up finish, they'll move on to the state playoffs to play District 11 champion and defending state champ Minersville Monday at 2 p.m. at Blue Mountain.
"This is the furthest we've ever been," Southern Columbia head coach Al Cihocki said. "It's been a good year. They've hit the ball well all year, and the three games we've lost were by one run."
Southern Columbia led off the game by loading the bases. Kirstin Blass reached on an error and Mallory Tomaschik grounded into a fielder's choice where both runners were safe after a high throw by the Panthers' shortstop. Kayla Lavella then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up and Taylor Hoffman reached base after a fielder's choice that saw no throw because of the runner at third.
All three runners however remained on base after Northeast Bradford's Chelsie Souto struck out the next two batters. The Panthers' hurler finished with 14 strikeouts, and lived on teasing Southern's hitters with a high fastball that must have looked like a beach ball until it was too late.
"We had the opportunity in the first inning with the bases loaded," Cihocki said. "If we get a hit there, it's two runs and we're winning the ballgame.
"We told the kids to get up there and swing the bat."
Meanwhile, Southern's defense was able to handle its opportunities cleanly and the offense cashed in on its next chance.
Blass led off the third inning by reaching on an infield single, but when Tomaschik again grounded to the shortstop, Blass was forced out at second.
Then with two outs and the count at 2-2, Taylor Hoffman again unloaded a hit into the gap in right field that scored Tomaschik.
The lead held until Northeast Bradford's Maddy Johnson reached on an infield single and Calla Martin, who already had two singles in her hitting line, laced a Tomaschik pitch over the outfielder's head and raced around for a two-run inside-the-park home run.
It was more than enough support for Souto, who allowed just one more Southern hitter to reach base and the Panthers had their second district title in five years.
"Mal pitched one heck of a ballgame and we made one mistake and the kid tattooed it with one person on," Cihocki said. "We get that out and we win. It's one of those things."
Game Summary
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA (AB-R-H-BI) - Blass 3-0-1-0, Tomaschik 3-1-0-0, Lavella 2-0-0-0, T. Hoffman 2-0-1-1, N. Hoffman 0-0-0-0, Troup 3-0-0-0, McGinley 3-0-0-0, Lupold 3-0-0-0, Yoder 3-0-0-0, Reigle 2-0-0-0, Vought 1-0-0-0, Chaundy 0-0-0-0. Totals 25-1-2-1.
NORTHEAST BRADFORD (AB-R-H-BI) - Martin 3-1-3-2, Holbert 3-0-0-0, Phillips 3-0-2-0, Carlsen 3-0-0-0, Emick 3-0-0-0, Brown 3-0-0-0, Souto 2-0-0-0, Goodwin 2-0-0-0, Johnson 2-1-1-0, Coleman 0-0-0-0. Totals 24-2-6-2.
Southern 001 000 0 - 1 2 0
NEB 000 020 x - 2 6 2
Extra-base hits: 2B - T. Hoffman. HR - Martin.
IP H R ER BB K
Southern Columbia
Tomaschik 6 6 2 2 0 5
Northeast Bradford
Souto 7 2 1 1 1 14