Jersey Shore’s emphatic offensive display has them just one win away from a district title.

” It took a lot of powwows, a lot of reps. I told them at the beginning of the year that this was the team I was most excited about in three years, and that’s a compliment to what they’re capable of doing. We harped on the bad plays we made, and I think they learned from it,” Jersey Shore head coach Chris Lorson said.

“Ultimately, I tell them you can’t make plays without the ball, and they controlled the ball today. At the same time, hitting-wise, we’ve never had the whole lineup hit the way they did today. I told them a couple days ago how scary they could be if everyone hits, and honestly, they did that today,”

It was a sensational performance against a Midd-West team that came in at 12-7 and had beaten the other D4 AAAA finalist in Central Columbia this season. The Bulldogs pounded out 20 hits, and the top four hitters in the lineup went an astounding 12-14 at the plate while driving in 11 and scoring 10 runs. Those four helped spur a four-run bottom of the 1st inning for the Bulldogs. A single by Dani Miller, followed by a single from Lynna Clark and another from Amelia Thomas set up a two-RBi hit from Lexie Frey. Abby Reichard doubled, and they scored their fourth run on a sacrifice groundout. That gave Frey, who was a whopping 4-4 with 7 RBIs, plenty of breathing room on the mound.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore players congratulate Annika Clark (22) after driving in the winning runs during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

It felt good to be up, and just my team behind me is great, and just knowing that we had that lead felt good,” Frey said.

Shore went back to it in the 2nd inning, scoring four more. This time, it was the top of the order once again setting the table and doing damage. And, when the Bulldogs scored six more in the third to take a 14-3 lead after Midd-West cut it to 8-3 with three in the top of the 3rd, it became quite apparent that the Bulldogs would get back to the district title game.

“I think being really loose helped us. Our team struggles with slower pitching, and having a pitcher that you know you can dominate is something we normally struggle with during the regular season. But we came out calm and relaxed from the first inning, and it allowed us to get our swings through,” senior leader Lynna Clark said.

Jersey Shore was able to finish out the game in the bottom of the 4th with five runs to invoke the 15-run-rule, ca[[ed off by a two out triple by Mya Lehman that brought in two.

Now, they will look to capture their first district title since 2024 against Central Columbia on Wednesday. Coach Lorson is keeping the focus on his team as opposed to focusing on the opponent.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lexi Frey throws for Jersey Shore during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

“Nothing against them. I didn’t see them play this year, but they’ve got to be a good team to get where they are. We go out and play our game, and we play fundamental ball. At the end of the day, I tell them if we do that and give 110%, that’s all any coach can ask for,” Lorson said.

Jersey Shore 19, Midd-West 3 (4 innings)

(DISTRICT 4 CLASS 4A SOFTBALL SEMIFINAL)

Midd-West 0 0 3 0 -3 4 4

Jersey Shore 4 4 6 5 – 19 20 1

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Dani Miller high fives assistant coach Frank Stetts at first during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

Midd-West: Emma Wagner and Briahna Kiester

Jersey Shore: Lexi Frey and Annika Clark

Top Midd-West hitters: Briahna Kiester 1-2 2 RBIs, run. Top Jersey Shore hitters: Dani Miller 3-4, 4 runs; Lynna Clark 4-4, 4 runs, 3 RBIs; Lexi Frey 4-4 7 RBI; Abby Reichard 3-4, 2 runs 2 RBIs.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Emma Wagner throws for Midd-West during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Jersey Shore at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Azlyn Guerrero crosses the plate during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Zoe Lehman beats the play at first during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Sophia Wrench attempts the tag at first on Midd-West's Joslynn Harman during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Mya Lehman takes her place behind the plate during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Annika Clark beats the play at first during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Lynna Clark crosses home during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Aubree Reighard high fives assistant coach Frank Stetts at first during a District 4 Class AAAA semifinal game against Midd-West at Elm Park on Friday. Shore won 18-3 in four innings.