WILLIAMSPORT - The sting of Thursday's 3-2 District 4 Class AAA championship loss to Mifflinburg at the Elm Park Complex isn't going to go away anytime soon.
Shamokin Area had its chances, and, to every player and coach, they all knew it. They left the bases loaded in the fifth and sixth innings.
They stranded two runners to end the game after scoring twice in the top of the seventh.
They were that close. A hit here or there could have broken the game open in their direction in a big way.
But what the Indians learned about themselves, and what they showed everyone else, particularly around the Heartland Conference and District 4, is that they've worked themselves into the position of being a force to be reckoned with.
Earlier this season, after a not-so-close loss to one of the HAC's best teams, first-year head coach Rick Kashner lamented that the Indians were beating the teams they were expected to beat, but were still a tick off against the elite teams.
"But, we're going to get there," Kashner said that day.
With their solid win over No. 1 seed Milton in the semifinals and the down-to-the-wire near miss with a very good Wildcats team in the finals, Kashner's vision for his team is right there.
"During both these games, these girls didn't quit," Kashner said. "I think we're there.
"Unfortunately, the season is over now."
Shamokin will lose seven senior starters to graduation.
Catcher Catherine Augustitus, infielders Kelsey Forbes, Brie Bonshock, Helana Supsic and Olivia Bonshock, and outfielders Jenny Hornberger and Natalie Wolfe will all move on.
Only pitcher Carley Nash and right fielder
Kourtnie Chapman will return next year from the regular starting lineup.
"We're going to miss these seniors, and I'm going to miss them bad," Kashner said. "But for the younger girls, and the junior high girls coming up, this (reaching the district final) is a big step."