But when the opportunity finally came a week later, South Williamsport made it count. And the Mounties turned a negative into a positive while displaying their potential.

Alizabeth Schuler threw a three-inning perfect game, and she, Sage Lorson, Abby Lorson and Lily Reidy all went 3 for 3 as South dismantled Upper Dauphin, 17-0, Friday in the Williamsport Tournament quarterfinals at Millionaire Mountain.

Williamsport and Montoursville also won and reached this morning’s semifinals. Ashlyn Robinson threw a seven-hit gem, produced two clutch two-out RBI hits and stranded the winning runners in the seventh inning as the Millionaires edged Union-Endicott, 4-3. Julie Friel threw a three-hitter and Montoursville scored six fourth inning runs to erase a one-run deficit and defeat Delaware Valley, 8-1. Williamsport will play Montoursville in Saturday morning’s semifinals at 10 a.m., while South plays Mifflinburg, a 19-5 winner against Loyalsock.

South 16, Upper Dauphin 0

Emma Vollman (15) and (11) Ashlyn Robinson of Williamsport celebrate after Vollman scores in the third inning against of Union-Endicott in Williamsport. Williamsport won, 4-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

(3 INNINGS)

The Mounties (6-2) put a surprising 4-3 loss against Warrior Run behind it, shined in all three facets and collected 17 hits with Schuler and Abby Lorson slugging three-run home runs.

“It was definitely motivation in some way. We were definitely salty about it. A lot of people had a lot of questions about it when we got back to school, but it made us want it even more,” Abby Lorson said after going 3 for 3 with a home run, double, four RBIs and two runs. “We knew that we came out flat that day so today we were up on the fence in the first inning cheering and you saw what happened. Base hits happened.”

Over and over again.

South scored four first inning runs after putting together five straight one-out hits. Schuler’s two-run home run highlighted a seven-run second inning eruption and Lorson’s two-run shot a five-run third inning. Six players produced multiple hits and South, which plays Mifflinburg in this morning’s semifinals, hit a whopping 13 for 18 with runners in scoring position.

Alizabeth Schuler of South Williamsport rounds the bases on a home run against UDA in Williamsport. South won, 16-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Sometimes you go through a little adversity. The team showed what it was made of. They came back strong,” South coach Tom O’Malley said. “Hitting was contagious tonight. They all had good approaches sand they hit the ball hard. That was impressive.”

“Tonight, everything was working for us. Our hitting was working, our fielding was working and our pitching was working,” Schuler said. “That shows who we are and who we want to be and how we want to make it far this year.”

South wasted no time making an impact against an Upper Dauphin team which entered 4-1. Reidy (3 for 3, three runs) belted an RBI single, Kendall Cardone (2 for 2, 3 runs) a two-run single, Sage Lorson a single and Abby Lorson an RBI single, quickly making it, 4-0.

The hits kept being delivered in bunches the next inning when Gianna Goodman’s lead-off single fueled a seven-run, seven-run attack. Schuler tattooed a laser-like home run to center field, making it 6-0 before Reidy hustled, turning a single into a double, Sage Lorson hit an RBI single and Abby Lorson an RBI double. Maddie Pinkerton added a sacrifice fly and Emily Holtzapple rocked a double to deep right-center field, capping the eruption and putting South up, 11-0.

South generated seven more hits an inning later. After Schuler, Reidy and Sage Lorson laced singles to cap 3 for 3 performances, Abby Lorson closed her offensive day in excellent fashion, drilling a two-run home run down the left field line which made it, 16-0.

Abigail Lorson of South Williamsport connects on her 2-run home run in the third inning against UDA in Williamsport. South won, 16-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I wasn’t sure at first but I heard my dad (first base coach Adam Lorson) when I got near first saying, ‘Get out!’ Get out!’ Once he I heard him screaming, I knew it was out. We struggled last week, so it was nice having some insurance runs.”

“There was a little complacency last game but you could tell they came out today to try and prove something,” O’Malley said. “They had a lot of quality at-bats. Sometimes you have a plan and for whatever you reason don’t stick to it, but it seemed like body and mind were working together and it was fun to watch.”

So was Schuler who made quick work of Upper Dauphin hitters. The senior right-hander struck out five of the nine batters she faced and threw an efficient 39 pitches. She went to a three-ball count just once and fanned four of the final five batters she faced.

Call it a perfect ending to a near perfect South collective performance.

“I was not aware (of the perfect game). I focus on inning, inning and inning. Everybody out there was like, ‘You just threw a perfect game.’ I was like, ‘Really?’ Schuler said. “It (the third-inning runs) really helped pitching because then I knew I just had to go get the next three batters out. I didn’t have to worry about anything else.”

Abigail Lorson of South Williamsport rounds the bases on her 2-run home run in the third inning against UDA in Williamsport. South won, 16-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williamsport 4,

Union-Endicott 3

The higher the pressure, the better Robinson performed Friday. And that was whether she was pitching or batting.

Robinson scattered seven hits, allowed just two earned runs, struck out six and left the winning runners on the corners as Williamsport improved to 3-0. The determined right-hander also hit a two-out RBI single and two-out RBI double, putting Williamsport ahead 3-1 and 4-2 each time.

Union-Endicott staged a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh, but Robinson never flinched. It was a similar story in the fourth and fifth innings when she left the go-ahead runners in scoring position in one-run games. U-E fought off the final strike eight times, but Robinson kept fighting and produced a game-ending strikeout.

Ashlyn Robinson of Williamsport fields a ball hit by Ellison Hamilton-Jones of Union-Endicott and throws her out at first base in Williamsport. Williamsport won, 4-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“It gets my adrenaline pumping but I have a team that has my back and you just have to put that fear and anxiety aside and you have to do it for the team,” Robinson said. “It’s so exciting. I’m yelling, I’m screaming. It’s a nerve-wracking situation but an amazing outcome.”

It was an outcome produced as much from Robinson’s talent as her composure. An all-state outfielder last season, Robinson also has displayed a knack of pitching well in big moments the last two years. She certainly did against U-E, never placing her focus upon on anything but the next pitch.

“She’s really shown me how tough she is. She never blinks and that’s the perfect recipe for anyone that is out in that circle,” Williamsport coach Scott Stugart said. “I haven’t seen her get upset about anything. It’s really good for the other girls to see that because that’s one of the hardest things to do is to try and get confidence in the girls and to move on after a mistake is made. She demonstrates that time after time.”

Hitting in the clean-up spot, Robinson delivered two clutch hits in her final two at-bats. Isabella Reddy did something similar, hitting a two-out go-ahead RBI single in the fourth inning which scored Emily McAnelly and put Williamsport ahead, 2-1. An inning later Emma Vollman (2 for 3, 3 runs) drew a leadoff walk and scored when Robinson scorched an RBI single.

After U-E drew within one, Vollman and Robinson delivered again. This time, Vollman rocketed a lead-off double down the left field line. Robinson followed two batters later, belting an RBI double into the right-center field gap. How huge that run was became apparent in the bottom of the seventh, ultimately being the decisive one.

“RBIs are what I try to do,” Robinson said. “I just look to put it somewhere to help my team.”

“She absolutely crushed those two balls,” Stugart said. “She was all-state last year and she’s off to a good start this year. She’s one of our leaders and one of the hardest workers on the team.”

After scoring 16 runs in each of its first two wins, Williamsport showed it also can win when its offense is not erupting. It was pitching, defense and timely hitting which won this one. The Millionaires played strong defense and scored four runs over the final five innings, working their way into the semifinals.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that these girls are always capable of winning these close games,” Robinson said. “We’re always capable of coming through when we need to come through.”

Montoursville 8,

Delaware Valley 1

Julie Friel always wants the softball. She enjoys the game, embraces the challenges.

And time after time she mastered those challenges Friday.

Friel threw a masterful three-hitter, striking out a season-high 11 and not allowing an earned run as Montoursville romped its way into the semifinals. The junior right-hander was locked in all evening, walking just one and throwing 74 of her 101 pitches for strikes. She also closed the game with five straight scoreless innings.

“Julie gets excited to go out and pitch games. She came out ready to get a win tonight and she did awesome,” Montoursville coach Mikayla Arnold said. “She had good command of the strike zone. She came in strong and stayed strong.”

So did her defense which made two errors in the second inning before playing flawless from there. It was another step in the development of a team which has won four straight games while gathering momentum.

And instead of letting those early miscues define it or the game, Montoursville fought back and kept making the next plays which came their way. The offense then came alive in the fourth inning and Montoursville was semifinal bound.

“They don’t have to be perfect but they have to bounce back after they make errors and they bounced back after they made errors tonight,” Arnold said. “Early in the season we started to bury ourselves but now they have short memories and know they are capable of playing good defense. They did a good job bouncing back.”

That included offensively. The Warriors (5-3) took control with their six run outburst and five different players produced hits. Avery Cozzi went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and Jordan Chamberlain was 1 for 2 with three runs. Emily George added two RBIs.

Montoursville has been busy this week and, with two games scheduled Saturday, will be halfway through its season by tournament’s end. The Warriors suffered some early heartbreak, losing three games on walk-offs, but have come back strong and have turned this morning’s semifinal on Field 1 into a Backyard Brawl.

Quarterfinals

South Williamsport 16, Upper Dauphin 0, 3 innings

South 475―16 17 1

Upper Dauphin 000―0 0 0

Alizabeth Schuler and Lily Reidy. Jordyn Miller and Arnaya Hoffman. W―Schuler. L―Miller.

Top South hitters: Schuler 3-3, HR, 2 RBIs, 2R; Reidy 3-3, 2B, RBI, 3R; Sage Lorson 3-3, 2B, 4 RBIs, 2R; Abby Lorson 3-3, HR, 2B, 4 RBIs, 2R; Gianna Goodman 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2R; Kendall Cardone 2-2, BB, 2 RBIs, 3R; Emily Holtzapple 1-2, 2B, RBI, R.

Records: South 6-2. Upper Dauphin 4-2.

Williamsport 4,Union-Endicott 3

Williamsport 001 110 1―4 7 1

Union-Endicott 100 010 1―3 8 1

Ashlyn Robinson and Emily McAnelly. Aubrey Salati, Madelyn Botting (5) and Morgan Ashman. W―Robinson. L―Salati.

Top Williamsport hitters: Emma Vollman 2-3, 3B, 2B, 3R; Robinson 2-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Kinsley Cannode 1-4, 3B, RBI; Isabella Reddy 1-2, BB, RBI; Zaelana Minor 1-3.

Records: Williamsport 3-0.

Montoursville 8, Delaware Valley 1

Del Valley 010 000 0―1 2 4

Montoursville 006 002 x―8 6 0

Olcott, Stahlmann (5) and Bird. Julie Friel and Nevaeh Montoya. W–Friel. L–Olcott

Top Montoursville hitters: Avery Cozzi 2-3, 2 RBIs; Lia Bozochovic 1-4, R; Kayleigh Sheleman 1-4, RBI, R; Jordan Chamberlain 1-2, 3R; Jill Stone 1-4, R.

Records: Montoursville 5-3.

Mifflinburg 19, Loyalsock 5

Mifflinburg 130 640 5―19 18 2

Loyalsock 300 020 0―5 5 1

W―Taylor Stewart. L―Sophia Miller.

Top Loyalslock hitters: Easton Waller 1-3, HR, RBI; Sofia Mileto 1-3, R; Kinsie Phillips 2-4, R; Lydia Kresock 1-3.

Records: Loyalsock 3-2.

Emily McAnelly of Williamsport is safe at second base as Dominika Diaz of Union-Endicott can’t hold onto the throw in Williamsport. Williamsport won, 4-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kinsley Cannode of Williamsport pulls in a catch in centerfield hit by Morgan Ashman of Union-Endicott in Williamsport. Williamsport won, 4-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Alizabeth Schuler of South Williamsport celebrates her home run against UDA in Williamsport. South won, 16-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Gianna Goodman of South Williamsport is safe at second base as Miley Yeager of UDA can’t hold onto the ball in Williamsport. South won, 16-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ashlyn Robinson of Williamsport pitches in the first inning to Union-Endicott in Williamsport. Williamsport won, 4-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette