Thomas Jefferson takes home 1st state title with walk-off win
Taylor Karmic hit a bases loaded single in the bottom of the eighth inning giving Thomas Jefferson a 2-1 victory over Pittston Area on Thursday afternoon at Beard Field on the campus of Penn State University. The state title is the first one in program history for Thomas Jefferson softball.
Both teams had multiple chances throughout regulation to come away with the win but neither could come through with Thomas Jefferson leaving eight runners on pace and Pittston leaving 10 runners on base.
The Jaguars got it going early when they got a leadoff triple and a sacrifice fly and just like that Thomas Jefferson was up 1-0 going into the bottom of the first inning.
In the bottom the second, Thomas Jefferson got back-to-back singles before Pittston pitcher Gianna Adams got three straight strikeouts to get out of the inning. The Jaguars got the leadoff hitter on in the fourth inning as well before another three straight strikeouts by Adams.
Pittston got even in the third inning when they got a double and a two-out single to even the score at one a piece.
In the fifth inning, it looked like Thomas Jefferson would have an opportunity to break the game open when they got the bases loaded with two outs. There was a well hit ball to right field but it was caught and the score remained tied 1-1.
The sixth inning it looked like Pittston’s was going to take advantage when they had two runners on but Thomas Jefferson pitcher Aubrey Shaffer got a pop out to end the inning and the score remained tied. Shaffer also got out of a bases loaded situation in the seventh and a second and third situation in the eighth.
In the bottom of the eighth, Morgan Alisesky fell behind with 0-2 in the count but was able to battle and ended up with a leadoff single. Alisesky would steal second base putting the Jaguars in great position. Pittston would intentionally walk Alayna Grese. Grese got to second on a wild pitch so Pittston intentionally walked Alison Chalovich as well. Which set up Karpac who hit a single through the left side and won the game and the state championship for Thomas Jefferson.
Shaffer was the winning pitcher going eight innings striking out 10 batters. Adams also went the distance striking out 14 for Pittston.