Avonworth tops Deer Lakes to claim WPIAL Class 3A softball crown
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Wednesday, June 1, 2022 | 2:52 PM
Deer Lakes starting pitcher Maddie Kee throws against Avonworth in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Avonworth celebrates with the trophy after beating Deer Lakes in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Deer Lakes’ Jenna Bisegna scores behind Avonworth catcher Rylee Gray in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Avonworth starting pitcher Alivia Lantzy throws against Deer Lakes in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Avonworth celebrates beating Deer Lakes in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Deer Lakes starting pitcher Maddie Kee throws against Avonworth in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Deer Lakes starting pitcher Maddie Kee throws against Avonworth in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Deer Lakes seniors with the runner-up trophy at the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Avonworth’s Leah Kuban is out at second base as Deer Lakes’ Anna Bokulich handles the throw in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Avonworth’s Sydney Savatt scores behind Deer Lakes catcher Tia Germanich in the first inning during the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Avonworth’s Catherine Barie makes a running over the shoulder catch on a ball hit by Deer Lakes’ Anna Bokulich in the second inning during the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Deer Lakes starting pitcher Maddie Kee throws against Avonworth in the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Avonworth’s Alivia Lantzy is safe at first as Deer Lakes’ Anna Bokulich misplays the throw in the first inning during the WPIAL Class 3A softball championship Wednesday, June 1, 2002, at Cal (Pa.).
Avonworth softball is back on top of the WPIAL Class 3A mountain.
The top-seeded Antelopes were strong at the plate, on defense and in the pitching circle, with sophomore standout Alivia Lantzy leading the way, in an 8-1 victory over Deer Lakes in the championship game Wednesday afternoon at Lilley Field at Cal (Pa.).
“I am so excited that we were able to win this,” said Lantzy, who still was two years away from varsity when Avonworth claimed the 2019 Class 3A crown with a 12-0 victory over Keystone Oaks.
“It is well-deserved as we all worked hard together all year to get to this point. Now, we’re off to states. We’re just going to play the same way we’ve been playing and see how far we can go.”
The Antelopes, who pounded out nine hits including a trio of doubles off Lancers sophomore starter Maddie Kee, improved to 17-5 overall. They outscored their three WPIAL-playoff opponents — including Mt. Pleasant in the first round and Southmoreland in the semifinals — by a combined 16-3.
The first-round win over the Vikings avenged last year’s semifinal loss, which denied Avonworth three straight WPIAL finals appearances.
“The kids were dedicated and came to work every single day,” Antelopes coach Jenna Muncie said.
Both teams return to action in the PIAA playoffs, which begin Monday at sites throughout central and western Pennsylvania.
Avonworth will face a team from District 5 or 6 at a site and time to be determined.
“We’re going to enjoy this one and then see what comes on Monday,” Muncie said. “We’re going to get ready, graduate a couple seniors (Friday), and then get after it.”
Deer Lakes (13-5) most likely will play in the Erie area as it will take on District 10 champion Corry in the first round.
“These kids have worked their tails off all year long,” Lancers coach Rick Cerra said. “I think they opened up the eyes of some people, and they have nothing to be ashamed of. We got here, and a lot of teams wish they were here. We didn’t play our best game today, but I’m not going to take away the fact that Avonworth played a great game. They pitched, they hit, and they fielded. They did everything they needed to do.”
The four seniors on this year’s Avonworth team — starters Catherine Barie (left field), Emily Davis (first base) and Meghan Fissore (third base) and reserve Ciera Jiminez – experienced WPIAL gold as freshmen. Barie, Davis and Fissore started on the 2019 squad.
“They were able to tell our younger kids what (the title game) was going to feel like and what it was going to look like,” Muncie said. “And last year, we were in against Mt. Pleasant. They were an amazing team. They gave the sophomores the experience they needed to carry with them.”
Lantzy scattered three hits and walked three while striking out eight in Wednesday’s complete-game victory.
“She has really elevated her game as a sophomore,” Muncie said. “She’s been outstanding. I am really proud of her.”
Avonworth struck for single runs in each of the first three innings to grab the lead.
Deer Lakes looked to have something going in the top of the first as senior shortstop Shayne Cerra and Kee drew back-to-back two-out walks.
But Lantzy struck out senior center fielder Reese Hasley to end the threat.
Deer Lakes’ lone run came in the third as senior first baseman Jenna Bisegna drew a one-out walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from senior Lydia Guthrie and scored on a sharply hit single to left by Cerra to cut the Antelope lead to 3-1.
Kee, who struck out one and walked three, helped keep Deer Lakes within striking distance into the fifth.
But Avonworth exploded in the bottom of the inning for five runs on five hits. Sophomores Rylee Gray and Cassandra Heinauer and freshman Emma Obersteiner collected RBI hits, and freshman leadoff hitter Sydney Savatt capped the scoring with a two-run double.
Savatt finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. She also reached on an error in the second inning.
Sophomore Leah Kuban doubled, singled and hit a first-inning sacrifice fly to score Savatt with Avonworth’s first run.
“Avonworth is in our section now, so this will give us a little fire in our bellies, too, for when we play them next year,” coach Cerra said.
Junior Anna Bokulich went 2 for 3 for Deer Lakes with singles in the fourth and seventh innings.
“We’ve got states ahead of us,” coach Cerra said. “We play Monday. We’re not done yet.”
Watch an archived video stream broadcast of this game on Trib HSSN.
Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.
Tags: Avonworth, Deer Lakes
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