Last Updated: Wed Aug 25, 2021 - 12:56AM
Kaely Walshaw's walkoff double in extra innings ended a pitchers duel as Line Mountain defeated Ligonier Valley 1-0 in the PIAA Class 2A softball championship at Penn State's Beard Field Thursday.
It's the first PIAA softball title for Line Mountain, as both teams played in a state softball championship game for the first time in school history.
Rams pitcher Maddie Griffin and Eagles hurler Kaya Matter were both spectacular in the contest. Griffin struck out 17 batters and allowed six hits in nine innings while Matter also whiffed 17 and allowed only two Ligonier Valley batters to reach base. Jordan Hofecker singled in the second inning and Kaely Johnston got a base hit in the seventh. Johnston advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt but was stranded in what was the Rams best opportunity in the game.
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the ninth inning, Aspen Walker singled to left with one out. Walshaw followed with a hard hit ball to the right-center field gap which drove in courtesy runner Brooke Barwick from first base.
Griffin finished her outstanding season with 316 strikeouts while recording 11 no-hitters and four perfect games. She will return next year for her senior season.
“We’re not satisfied just getting here," Griffin said. "I want to come back here next year and win it. We have to improve our hitting. Everything else is in place.”