Northern Cambria won the baseball championship and West Shamokin claimed the softball crown on Heritage Conference Championship Night last night.
At First Commonwealth Bank Field, Homer-Center took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the third but Northern Cambria tied the game. Then the Colts put up seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull away, winning 9-3.
The big blow came with the bases loaded for the Colts and Shaun Gisler at the plate. (Mark Bertig’s call.)
Colts coach Skylar Eckenrode said he talked to Shaun Gisler just before the crucial at-bat.
Shawn’s twin brother Shane Gisler had three hits for Northern Cambria. For Homer-Center, Brayden Rado had two hits, including a double.
Meanwhile, at Northern Cambria, West Shamokin’s Cameron Vandervort had two two-run home runs and Leah Mondi struck out fifteen Conemaugh Valley batters and the Wolves topped the Blue Jays, 5-1.
Vandervort was 3-for-3 on the night for West Shamokin. In her last six games, she is 16-for-23. Her first homer came to left-center field in the first inning. (Todd Marino’s call)
The second shot was a blast to straightaway center.
Coach Gary Stewart says he reminded Vandervort before the game that she had not gone long yet this season, and it was time.
Avery Elkin set up both of Vandervort’s home runs with two singles.
With the close of the Heritage Conference season, the focus now switches to the District 6 playoffs. Last night’s games were the last ones that could count for rankings points.
