Kaitlyn Herman always plays hard, so there is no intensity change come playoff time. But there is just something about the postseason which brings out the senior catcher’s best.

A year after shining throughout the postseason, Herman did so again last Wednesday under the Elm Park lights, helping Jersey Shore repeat as District 4 Class AAAA champions. Herman blasted a fourth inning, go-ahead, two-run home run which changed the game and paved the way for Jersey Shore’s 8-2 title victory against Montoursville.

“I got in the box and just thought make contact and it just happened to go over,” Herman said. “It was down the middle, a touch low, but not too low … just where it like it. It was a pretty awesome feeling.”

Herman has helped Jersey Shore experience some great things these past two years, playing her best softball at the perfect time. The senior leader was 2 for 3 against Montoursville and her home run broke a scoreless tie while fanning the flames as Jersey Shore (14-6) scored eight runs in its final three at-bats while collecting 15 hits and securing the program’s 10th district championship of the 2000s.

Last year, Herman hit a hard grounder which was mishandled and led to two runs scoring on an error, breaking a tie as Jersey Shore edged Montoursville for the crown, 4-3. She then drilled a two-out walk-off single in the state tournament against East Pennsboro, helping Jersey Shore rally from a two-run deficit and win 7-6 in eight innings.

For the championship rematch, Herman would not give Montoursville a shot at fielding the ball. She launched her two-run home run over the center field fence, highlighting her strong performance which included reaching base three time in four plate appearances.

“It was huge,” Jersey Shore coach Chris Lorson said. “She kept her back foot down and hands above ball. It was a good line drive and that’s all I can ask.”

“We kept getting people on and base,” second baseman Grace Russell said after going 2 for 3 with two runs. “When she hit that, something finally clicked and everyone started hitting.”

In three of her last four playoff games, Herman has helped produce multiple runs and three times, helped Jersey Shore either take the lead or win the game like she did with her walk-off single against East Pennsboro. Herman also hit a two-run single which erased a 2-0 deficit in that contest and has produced multiple-hit performances in two of his last three games.

Herman, whose sisters Maddie, Brianna and Julia also have won district championships at Jersey Shore, is a vocal leader who always does the little things which help produce big wins. But she also does the big things, too. Often at the biggest times.

“She’s been a solid leader,” Lorson said. “I’ve been fortunate to have her in Little League and all-stars and Juniors and three years in high school. She’s a great kid.”