Instead, they rattled off 12 combined runs in the third and fourth inning to flip the scoreboard while starting pitcher Madison Edwards bounced back from a tough top of the third, as they defeated Montoursville, 14-8. With the win, they earned themselves a district championship and punched their ticket to sectionals.

“It’s been awesome. Our pitching has been on point for the most part, struggled a little bit the last two games, but really dug in and bore down whenever it mattered. Good pitching, solid defense, some great situational hitting,” said Clinton coach Chipp McMann on the win and run in general. “Yeah, it’s been fun. Great group of girls, as well as my assistants, Joe Houser and Pat Tarantella. It’s a fun group.”

Following a five-run inning from Montoursville, Clinton managed to respond immediately. With one out and second baseman Skye Welshans in scoring position, Josey McCann and Blake Houser logged back-to-back singles, with Houser’s grounder to right center batting in Welshans and McCann.

Houser would steal two bases on the ensuing at-bat before reaching home on a wild pitch, cutting its deficit in half to 7-4.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Madison Edwards throws for Clinton during a Little League, District 12 minor softball championship game against Clinton at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.

That was just the beginning, as the team would triple that output in the fourth. In the first four pitches of the inning, Sienna Schneider, Madalene Shultz and Cali Emal all posted hits, with Emal batting the former two in with a teardrop double deep into right center.

Just like that, they were one run away from tying the game. And though Montoursville would secure its first out of the inning on the ensuing at bat, the run was just getting started.

Emal would get home on a wild pitch to tie it. One at-bat later, Addy Marr would get in off a throwing error to take the lead. And by the time the dust had cleared, Eliza Shultz, Welshans, McCann, Houser and Audrina Tarantella had all posted runs, as its lead climbed to 13-7.

“Tonight, we were faced with some adversity. We were down 7-1 but had some clutch hits, some real good at bats and took advantage of our opportunities,” said McMann on the rally. “If we continue to do that, things should turn out pretty well for us.”

Though the offense helped it harbor a lead, it would take stout defense for the team to maintain it. Fortunately for Clinton, Madison Edwards was up to the task.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Avery Shellman throws for Montoursville during a Little League, District 12 minor softball championship game against Clinton at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.

She’d pitch a near-immaculate inning in the fourth to continue to stifle Montoursville’s mid-game momentum, posting eight strikes, two strikeouts and no balls. The lone out that wasn’t a strikeout was a groundout from her to first baseman Sienna Schneider.

Then, after the teams traded runs in the fifth, she’d shake off an early walk in the sixth, posting a strikeout and two force outs from the mound to close things out. On the day, she finished with 12 strikeouts and three force outs to just seven hits (one in the final three innings) and four walks.

“She really locked it in,” said McCann on Edwards. “She really faced some adversity last game and in the beginning of this one. But from the third inning on, I thought she locked it in pretty well. She’s overpowering at this level whenever she’s on. She’s a great player.”

Montoursville still put on a sound performance through the evening and throughout the tournament in general. With an 18-6 win over Jersey Shore and a bounce back win over South to make it to the final, it has a lot to be proud of heading into next year.

Carley Smith and Avery Shellman logged two hits each, helping the team with its respective, five-run explosion in the third, as RaeLynn Beck, Blakley Ings and Nayomi Belle also attributed runs within that span. And Shellman pitched a complete game as well, posting 12 strikeouts to just five walks.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Two Montoursville infielders reach for a fly ball during a Little League, District 12 minor softball championship game against Clinton at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.

“We’re proud of the girls and the way that they played throughout the tournament. We certainly were a younger team as far as experience, but we proud of the way they showed up, showed resilience,” said Montoursville coach Megan Smith on her team. “When we were down, we weren’t out. Just proud of the progress they made throughout the all-star season, and that’s a lot of momentum moving forward.”

For Clinton, it heads into sectionals with plenty of confidence and momentum, looking to carry that forward into another strong run.

“We don’t really have any idea what we’re up against moving forward, so the element of surprise is going to be a factor,” said McMann. “But it’s going to be the same for the teams coming in, so it should be fun. We’ll show up, play ball and hopefully, things go in our favor.”

Clinton 14, Montoursville 8

MTV 115 010 – 8 7 3

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Clinton's Madison Edwards attempts a tag on Montoursville's Avery Shellman while covering home during a Little League District 12 minor softball championship game at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.

CLN 013 91X – 14 10 0

Avery Shellman and Avery Bolsar, Reagan Alexander (4). Madison Edwards and Josey McCann.

Top Montoursville hitters: Carley Smith 2-3, 2B, 3 RBIs; Avery Shellman 2-3, RBI, 2 runs; Alivia Frey 1-3, RBI; Avery Bolsar 1-3. Top Clinton hitters: Blake Houser 2-3, 2 RBIs, run; Sienna Schneider 2-2, 2 runs; Cali Emal 1-3, 2B, 2 RBIs.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville shortstop Nayome Belle attempts a tag on Clinton's Sienna Schneider during a Little League, District 12 minor softball championship game at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Clinton players race to meet their fans to celebrate their victory over Montoursville during a Little League, District 12 minor softball championship game at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Two Montoursville players check out their medals at the end of a Little League, District 12 minor softball championship game against Clinton at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Clinton players celebrate their victory over Montoursville after a Little League, District 12 minor softball championship game at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Clinton players pose with their championship banner after a Little League, District 12, 8-10 softball championship game against Montoursville at Lycoming College on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Clinton won 14-8.