Three errors in the fifth and sixth inning proved costly, first helping the Millionaires get their motor running before allowing it to shift into overdrive. Through the last four innings, Williamsport scored seven unanswered runs while allowing zero the other way, a run which propelled it to a 7-2 victory in Heartland-I play.

“We didn’t execute the little things,” said Shore head coach Chris Lorson on the loss. “Routine ground balls, dropping shoulders, hitting fly balls and didn’t get out bunts down tonight. All those little things add up in the big picture of the game.”

After seeing its 2-0 lead cut in half in the fourth, Shore’s field responded well initially, as center fielder Lynna Clark made an excellent catch at the fence to change sides and the unit posted two quick outs in the following stanza. However, when Port’s lineup reset after the second, things took a nosedive downward.

A routine grounder from Emma Vollman’s bat went right under the glove of Shore third baseman Lexie Frey, with a single from Kinsley Cannode on the ensuing at-bat ultimately allowing the pair of Millionaires to advance into scoring position. Another routine grounder from Brenna Beck also fell unhindered, getting Vollman and Cannode home.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Lynna Clark scoots back to first during the team's matchup against Williamsport on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell 7-2.

Suddenly, the lead was no longer Shore’s.

Similar issues plagued the Bulldogs through the sixth. A routine pop-up met the sand of the infield and when picked up, was launched over the head of Frey, landing out of play. That allowed Williamsport’s Emily McAnelly to score and Isabella Reddy to advance to third, with Kate Solomon batting her home with a short grounder to left.

From there, the wind went out from under Jersey Shore’s sails, as Beck led off the seventh with a double for Williamsport, Ashlyn Robinson (3-for-4) batted her home with a triple and Zaelana Minor launched an RBI-single straight up the middle, capping Williamsport’s run at seven unanswered and leaving the Bulldogs in an insurmountable hole.

It was a tough way for Shore’s six-game win streak to end, but it was an experience the team can learn a lot from.

“The message was to learn from tonight,” said Lorson. “You’ve got to go forward and we’ve got three tough games back-to-back-to-back. We’ve got to do the little things. The big things don’t happen if we do the little things.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Makayla Wrench sprint to get on base during the team's matchup against Williamsport on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell 7-2.

The outing wasn’t without its positives either.

Starting pitcher Isabelle Engel and her field did a great job stifling Williamsport early, retiring the side in the first and third and stranding two runners in scoring position in the second. Shortstop Dani Miller and second baseman Kalyssa Johns were active within that span, each catching a popup and delivering well-placed ground outs to first.

Offensively, the team got about as good of a start going as it could’ve hoped for, posting three straight hits and getting on the board after the first two. Lynna Clark (3-of-4) attributed an RBI within the stretch and Kylie Schall added one amidst an active third.

Following the loss, Jersey Shore (7-2) will look to bounce back on Friday, back at home against another tough squad in South Williamsport. That game is set for 4:30 p.m.

For Williamsport, it was a matter of taking advantage of its opportunities and holding firm defensively after a blemished start. It handled both those factors effectively.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Dani Miller runs to first during the team's matchup against Williamsport on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell 7-2.

While posting an excellent performance from the plate, Ashlyn Robinson also played a great game from the mound, shaking off a rough start seamlessly on her way to a complete, two-run performance.

Though she struck out just two batters on the day, she scattered three hits through the final four innings, forcing routine popups and grounders left and right, which her field handled effectively.

“That’s probably four games in a row, even though we lost up at Central Mountain, that Bailey (Livermore) or Ashlyn have pitched a good game,” said Williamsport head coach Scott Stugart when discussing the team’s pitching.

In the field, Brenna Beck made a great play to close the fourth, catching a laser to left before tagging second to complete a double play. Catcher Emily McAnelly and third baseman Emma Vollman caught pop-ups in foul territory to cut Shore’s later innings even shorter. And Kinsley Cannode was lights out at center field, catching five fly outs – one being particularly tough at the wall to conclude the sixth.

“(She) was just all over the place, really big in the outfield,” said Stugart on Cannode. “She just reads it so well and gets good jumps, and we’re really lucky to have her.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore pitcher Isabelle Engel smiles from the mound during the team's matchup against Williamsport on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell 7-2.

All in all, it was a performance that further emphasized Williamsport’s growth as of late. After dropping three tough games in the span of five days in mid-April, the Millionaires have rattled off three wins in their last four against great teams, with their lone loss within that span coming against the No. 6 team in the state in Tunkhannock.

“We always want to be an ascending team instead of descending or flat, and I see that right now. They’ve turned it around her in the last four games, and I like the trend and the fight from the girls,” said Stugart. “We’re really getting to a point now where they understand what we’re all trying to do as a team collectively. Everyone’s understanding their roles.”

The Millionaires will be back in action next Tuesday, experiencing a bit of a break after a five-game, seven-day span. There, they’ll look to continue the hot streak at home against Selinsgrove, with that game set for 4:30 p.m.

Williamsport 7, Jersey Shore 2

PORT 000 122 2 – 7 12 1

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Kalyssa Johns fields a ball during the team's matchup against Williamsport on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell 7-2.

JSHS 101 000 0 – 2 8 3

Ashlyn Robinson and Emily McAnelly. Isabelle Engel, Lexie Frey (7) and Annika Clark. W – Robinson. L – Engel.

Top Williamsport hitters: Ashlyn Robinson 3-4, 3B, RBI, run; Brenna Beck 2-4, 2B, 2 runs; Bailey Livermore 2-4, RBI; Zaelana Minor 1-4, RBI. Top Jersey Shore hitters: Lynna Clark 3-4, run; Isabelle Engel 1-3, RBI; Kylie Schall 1-3, RBI, Dani Miller 1-3, run.

Records: Williamsport 7-4 (4-1 Heartland-I); Jersey Shore 7-2 (5-1 Heartland-I).

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Annika Clark prepares to bat during the team's matchup against Williamsport on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell 7-2.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Jaymison Stellfox, left, high fives Isabelle Engel during the team's matchup against Williamsport on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell 7-2.