West Point softball wins U12 state championship

Don’t look for Tina Madison to schedule any more trips to Wellsboro very soon.

Even though West Point has won consecutive Pennsylvania State Little Major Division state titles there, Wellsboro is a hike. It’s in the north-central part of the state near the New York state line. The closest city is Williamsport 51 miles to the south.

On Wednesday, West Point defeated Indiana, 5-3, in Wellsboro to nab its 39th state softball title. It was the second consecutive day West Point defeated the Indiana team made up of players from Indiana, Clymer and Marion Center.

“We fought back through the losers’ bracket after losing on Friday,” Madison said. “Plan A was to win four games and come home. We had to adjust and play seven games.

“The players didn’t panic. They won five consecutive games by getting strong pitching, timely hitting and playing with the lead.”

Madison won the toss prior to the game and batted first.

West Point took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a wild pitch and added three more runs in the second inning and one more in the third.

Lexi Stabile had her second strong performance against Indiana. She struck out 14 and allowed four hits.

She allowed three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when she had trouble with her grip during heavy rain.

Madison said she finally got the umpires to stop the game after three walks and a hit batter.

Braylyn Graft, Rian Startz and Stabile had hits that drove home runs in the second.

Piper Hoppel also drove in a run in the third inning.

“Lexi did a good job against them Tuesday, so we went with her,” Madison said. “We’re also stronger defensively with Jacelyn (Luft) playing first.”

West Point heads to Bristol, Conn., for the Mid-Atlantic Regional and will play the winner of Sunday’s game between Delaware and New York on Monday.