Until Friday.

Looks like Alizabeth Schuler can add another game ball to her collection. Maddie Pinkerton nearly secured one, too.

Schuler launched a mammoth home run over the large left field fence, also tripled and did not allow an earned run as South Williamsport defeated Jersey Shore, 11-5 Friday in a battle of defending District 4 champions. Pinkerton nearly deposited a long ball in the same spot an inning later, setting for an RBI double which bounced off the fence. She and Schuler were two of six Mounties who produced multi-hit performances as South (11-2) won its sixth straight game.

“It did surprise me because I thought it was going to hit the fence and fall in,” Schuler said. “Then I saw the fielder stop and thought, ‘No way, I actually did that.'”

Lily Reidy (7) and Kendall Kardone (3) of South Williamsport smile and laugh as they run off the field after scoring against Jersey Shore in the third inning in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

“I knew she throws high and inside, so I was looking for something inside, good and not too high. It was right there,” Pinkerton said of her long double which likely would have been a home run at most parks. “Once I hit it, it felt really good but I knew the fence was high.”

South players took turns hitting hard shots against the two-time defending District 4 Class AAAA champions, collecting 15 hits and scoring runs in all but the second inning. The Mounties built a 9-0 advantage entering the bottom of the sixth before Jersey Shore rallied and made things interesting late.

South wasted no time making an impact, scoring four first inning runs. Four of the first five batters generated hits and Sage Lorson added a sacrifice fly. Gianna Goodman led off the game with a single and scored on Schuler’s laser-like triple into the right-center field gap. Lily Reidy (2 for 4) followed with an RBI double and Kendall Cardone (3 for 4) an RBI triple, helping South set the tone before Jersey Shore (7-3) batted.

“Coming into this game we knew we had to be up and have a lot of energy,” Pinkerton said after going 2 for 4 with two RBIs. “They’re a good team, so I think getting up and cheering got everyone motivated. Everyone wanted to do good.”

They continued doing well all afternoon.

Alexis Frey of Jersey Shore pitches against South Williamsport in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

It was not just that South hit, but how and when it did. The Mounties went 7 for 13 with runners in scoring position and scored five two-out runs. The Mounties struck for four two-out runs in the third inning after the first two batters were retired, building a 7-0 advantage. Reidy and Cardone hit singles, Lorson walked and Abby Lorson (2 for 4) belted a two-run single before Pinkerton capped the rally with an RBI single.

“What I liked was the good situational hitting. We were moving runners, getting two-out hits, good two-strike approaches and sacrifice flies,” South coach Tom O’Malley said.. “We were executing with the bat really well. We’ve been really trying to work on that as far as being smart with runners in scoring position. It showed today.”

There were no runners on when Schuler came up with one out in the sixth inning. After working a 1-1 count, Schuler unloaded on the next pitch, sending it soaring high over the left field fence which has long kept powerful hits in the field at Jersey Shore. That jolt made it nine unanswered runs and put it ahead, 9-0.

“It felt really good off the bat,” Schuler said. “I knew she was going to throw me a rise ball after she threw me two change-ups because that’s what she threw me the at-bat before. I was just trying to stay on top of the ball.”

“She got out in front, got extended on that and she’s just fun to watch,” O’Malley said. “She does the little things and her IQ is unreal. We’re lucky to have her.”

Alizabeth Schuler of South Williamsport delivers a pitch against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Pinkerton continued highlighting the team’s offensive depth in the seventh inning. After Jersey Shore cut the deficit to 9-3, the Lock Haven-bound left fielder followed by an Abby Lorson single but smashing her double off the fence. Emily Holtzapple continued her strong season a batter later, delivering an RBI single and making it, 11-3.

Pinkerton still has her senior coming next spring but already knows she will be playing at Lock Haven following that. Having her future mapped out has given the three-year starting left fielder peace of mind and made her even more dangerous.

“This season has really been about having fun,” Pinkerton said. “Ever since I’ve committed it’s been like a really big deep breath.”

Schuler has learned to control her breathing in the tensest of moments over the years, whether competing at the Little League World Series or in state tournaments. That paid dividends again when Jersey Shore rallied in the sixth inning.

Schuler took a no-hitter into the fourth inning, but the Bulldogs kept fighting and two errors opened the door as Lynna Clark (2 for 4), Alexis Frey, Kylie Schall (2 for 4) and Makayla Wrench all produced hits. Wrench beat out an infield single to make it 9-3 following RBIs from Isabelle Engel and Jaymison Stellfox. That also loaded the bases but Schuler responded in impressive fashion, striking out the next batter on three pitches to put out the fire.

Alizabeth Schuler of South Williamsport celebrate her team’s win over Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Two errors and hits from Engel and Schall made it 11-5 in the seventh and Jersey Shore had two runners on. Again, Schuler stayed poised and induced a game-ending flyout.

“I was very confident because I knew I had a really good defense behind me and if they hit the ball again, we can make the outs,” Schuler said. “When I was little and I was in that spot, I was always freaking out. You could always see it on my face, but over the years I’ve learned that you can never let it show because then it can really get away from you.”

Both teams have little time to think about Friday’s game because both face tests Saturday. South hosts 2024 6A state quarterfinalist Bethlehem Liberty, while Jersey Shore faces Central Mountain in a key HAC-I showdown as it, the Wildcats and Williamsport are tied for first place.

“Those are the kind of games we want to play. Those are the ones that help us get better,” O’Malley said. “We just want to stay focused and keep trying to get better every day.”

South Williamsport 11,

Mya Lehman of Jersey Shore can’t get the tag down as Lily Reidy of South Williamsport slides safely into third base during the third inning in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Jersey Shore 5

South 403 011 2–11 15 4

Jersey Shore 000 003 2–5 8 2

Alizabeth Schuler and Lily Reidy. Alexis Frey, Isabelle Engel (3) and Annika Clark. W–Schuler, (9-2). L–Frey.

Top South hitters: Kendall Cardone 3-4, RBI, 3 runs; Schuler 2-4, HR, 3B, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Reidy 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 runs; Abby Lorson 2-4, 2 RBIs, run; Maddie Pinkerton 2-4, 2B, 2 RBIs, run; Emily Holtzapple 2-4, RBI; Sage Lorson 1-2, RBI, run; Gianna Goodman 1-5, run. Top Jersey Shore hitters: Lynna Clark 2-4, 2 runs; Kylie Schall 2-4, RBI; Engel 1-4, RBI; Jaymison Stellfox 1-4, 2 RBIs; Frey 1-4; Makayla Wrench 1-4.

Records: South (11-2), Jersey Shore (7-3).

Abigail Lorson of South Williamsport hits a single in the 7th inning against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Alizabeth Schuler of South Williamsport rounds the bases on a home run against Jersey Shore in the sixth inning in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Lynna Clark of Jersey Shore connects on a single in the 4th inning against South Williamsport in Jersey Shore Friday afternoon. South won the game, 11-5. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express