West Point softball added another chapter to its storied legacy this week, as the 11U team captured the Pennsylvania state title on Wednesday in Wellsboro.

West Point, comprised of six girls from the Hempfield Area district and four others from Greater Latrobe, was perfect in four tournament games, outscoring the opposition 32-3. West Point captured the crown with a 2-1 victory against Williamsport, the same team it defeated in the semifinals 9-1 two days earlier.

“Every parent was on their feet. It was pretty exciting,” West Point coach Matt Maiers stated. “The local community got behind it.”

The championship marks the 38th overall state title in the history of West Point softball, which includes multiple age brackets.

On Friday, West Point opened the tournament with a 4-1 win against the Cambridge/Conneaut Lake/French Creek Valley/Saegertown All-Stars, referred to as SCC.

“We drew a tough team out of the gate with the SCC team. They had a really good pitcher,” Maiers said of SCC.

West Point had an even better pitcher on its side, though, as southpaw Jayelyn Luft allowed four hits and four walks, striking out 13. Luft and her twin sister, Jocelyn, each contributed a pair of hits, while Braylyn Graft produced a three-run double to break open a tie game in the top of the sixth.

The following day, West Point left no doubt in a 17-0 mercy-rule drubbing of Lower Merion. West Point exploded for 15 runs in the first inning, and sealed the outcome in just three frames. Peyton Reamer provided a pair of triples and three RBIs, while Camryn Ecker and Jocelyn Luft also added a pair of hits apiece. In the circle, Sophia Porreca worked three no-hit innings, walking one and fanning seven.

After an off day, West Point returned to the diamond on Monday in the semis, and cruised to the win against Williamsport. Jayelyn Luft tossed a one-hitter, registering a dozen strikeouts, while she also compiled three hits at the plate. Jocelyn Luft was the offensive catalyst with a pair of hits and five RBIs, including a three-run homer to set the tone in the first inning. Following a lengthy rain delay, West Point added to its cushion in the decisive victory.

The rematch against Williamsport followed a vastly different storyline, however, as the teams were deadlocked in the bottom of the sixth inning. West Point landed the first blow in the fourth, as Morgan Maiers walked, stole second, and then scored on a subsequent error. Williamsport pulled even in the fifth on a wild pitch, however.

“We were still hitting the ball, but we were hitting the ball right to them, and they made plays,” Maiers noted of the difference between the first and second meetings against Williamsport. “I didn’t think our defense would give up many runs, as long as we would get one or two runs. It was a little nerve-wracking, at first.”

In the bottom of the sixth, the final inning of regulation, Matt Maiers faced a dilemma. With Luft already working six innings in the circle, another inning of work would render her ineligible to pitch on Thursday for the “if necessary” game to decide a champion. Thus, he had Porreca warming up if the contest went to extra innings.

“One of the girls said “why is she warming up, we’re going to win it right here,”’ Maiers revealed.

That comment proved prophetic, as Jocelyn Luft’s single plated her twin to provide the walk-off victory.

Jocelyn Luft finished the tournament with a batting average of .800, while Jayelyn put an exclamation point in her dominant run in the circle, as she twirled a two-hitter with one walk, striking out nine.

In addition to the twins, West Point received contributions from the entire roster throughout the tournament. Maiers highlighted Piper Hoppel, in particular, for playing out of position at catcher.

“She stepped up big. She had a lot of plays behind the plate,” he detailed.

Other players who filled crucial roles included Caitlyn Leach and Lily Carroll.

The chemistry of the squad was another crucial factor in the title run.

“They all know each other,” Maiers said. “They all see each other every weekend at tournaments and have played with each other or against each other one way or another along the line.”

In addition to Maiers, the coaching staff included Tina Madison, the head coach of Hempfield Area varsity softball, as well as Bob Madison and Jim Porreca.