WALL’s state run a huge accomplishment despite title loss

Jan 18, 2024

Aug 5, 2023

PHOTO PROVIDEDWilliamsport Area manager Marcus Montoya speaks to his players during the state championship game against West Point Wednesday, in a photo provided by Eric Beiter.

The Williamsport Area 9-11 softball team had little time to bounce back following its lopsided 9-1 loss to West Point in the Pennsylvania state winners’ bracket final on Monday. But although their eventual rematch in the championship game Wednesday may not have gone WALL’s way, it was clear it had managed to do just that.

Heading into the winners’ finals, WALL had grown used to being on the other side of those results, having carved its path to that winner’s finals matchup on mostly dominant performances.

Behind a balanced attack, it had defeated Clinton, 14-1, in the District 12 championship before claiming the Section 3 title as well with a 13-1 victory over Central Columbia. Williamsport area manager Marcus Montoya believes that may have been the reason its first matchup with West Point went so poorly, with those wins potentially bolstering the team’s confidence up too high.

“On Monday, we got outplayed in every aspect of the game,” said Montoya. “That loss to West Point was our first loss of the year and we weren’t sure how the girls were going to respond.”

With just two days separating themselves from a finals rematch with West Point and a losers’ final matchup against another tough team in SCC standing in the way of that, adjusting to that loss both on the field and mentally was bound to be a challenge.

But the team came out their usual selves Tuesday. Though it trailed heading into the final inning against SCC, WALL took the lead back with two runs and managed to hold firm defensively to advance to the finals.

“They let that game go, and they were actually using what we had been preaching to them. Don’t dwell on anything because if we start to dwell on it, it snowballs from there,” said Montoya. “They were engaged in the game and made plays when they needed to. The way they got rid of the feelings from Monday’s game was really impressive.”

They carried that momentum into their rematch with West Point on Wednesday. It may not have resulted in a win, but there was a lot to be proud of, as the team put on an impressive performance and even had the game tied heading into the final inning.

The defense returned to form, not allowing a second run until the sixth. Though the offense struggled to score against an equally potent defense, they managed to keep themselves in the game with a strong pitching display and consistent outfield.

“(Tied) 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth, what more could you ask for?” said Montoya. “Our girls were more locked in, and our defense and pitching showed up. They bought in to what we were selling, never gave up and had the fight in them. Don’t ever give up because you never know what’s going to happen.”

The loss hurt the coaches and players, but it didn’t take away from what they were able to accomplish.

Individually, CC Montoya and Aletha Fletcher performed incredibly well on the offensive side of the ball. Each posted a batting average above .600 throughout the summer, with manager Montoya calling their play “infectious” in regard to the rest of the team.

“They were amazing to watch,” said Montoya when discussing Montoya and Fletcher. “They worked hard throughout the summer, and it translated to the game. And once they got going, the rest of the girls wanted to get hits too.”

CC Montoya was also largely impactful from the mound, striking out 90 batters in the summer and posting an ERA of 1.699.

“The way she went out there really made me proud, not just as a coach but as a dad,” Montoya said. “She was really consistent and kept us in the games for the most part. She really battled in the West Point game. And the team fed off her positivity.”

And as a team, the team proved it was progressing upward, going from getting eliminated in sectionals last season to coming two wins short of a regional bid. It has a lot going on for it on the field, as well as off.

Montoya describes the team’s bond as one built on trust and positivity, with no one on the team embodying a “me-first” attitude. That kind of bond will go a long way in continuing to build upon their success in the fall and beyond.

“They knew they were there for each other,” Montoya said on the team. “If it doesn’t go your way, there’s always someone behind you that’s there to pick you up. That helped keep morale up and the players loose, having a good time and having fun.”

The way it was able to bounce back from its Monday loss is proof of that, as the team’s positivity was back in full volition in Tuesday’s winner-take-all final. Although Williamsport Area lost that state final to West Point in a rematch, 2-1, the 9-11 softball team showed they had plenty to be proud of this summer.

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