While the Bulldogs outhit Central 12-5, loaded the bases thrice and had at least one runner in scoring position in six straight innings, they finished with just two runs to show for it. 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position came and went without Shore logging a hit and a two-run first and fifth-inning run from the Bluejays made the difference, as the Bulldogs fell, 3-2, in excruciating fashion in the District 4 Class AAAA championship.

“Both teams played a good game,” said Jersey Shore manager Chris Lorson. “We had bases loaded a couple times and couldn’t get them in. And honestly, the bloop pop-flies, that was the difference in the ball game.”

After going down 2-0 behind a leadoff homer from Kayla Poust and RBI double from Teddi Snavely, the Bulldogs seemed to constantly be in position to turn the tide.

Starting pitcher Lexi Frey bounced back exceptionally well, keeping Jersey Shore (16-6) within two for the rest of the game, and it took one frame for it to get multiple runners in scoring position. But each opportunity was met with big plays for Central’s field.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore players receive runner-up medals following the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

When the Bulldogs loaded the bases with two outs in the first, Central’s Abby Welkom made a heads up play at third, fielding a Sophia Wrench grounder that threatened the left-field line before tagging third to end the inning.

Two innings later, two two-out singles that established corners were met with a Snavely strikeout. And though Shore cracked the scoreboard in the fourth, it lost its chance to tie it and threaten a lead-chance by inches.

After Mya Lehman hit an RBI triple to bat home Sophia Wrench, Shore attempted a suicide squeeze in hopes of tying it up right then and there on a bunt from Zoe Lehman. In a photo finish at home plate, Lehman was called out on the tag from Central catcher Grace Turner, though Lorson was quick to question that call.

“I think we were safe,” said Lorson on the play. “They say not, but in my mind, they tagged her without the ball. That hurt us because that was a run, and we end up giving up an out instead, which I didn’t think we had. But that’s just one play.”

It certainly hurt the Bulldogs, both at the time and in hindsight.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Lexi Frey throws during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

Though they’d later load the bases for the second time behind a Dani Miller single and Lynna Clark walk, a tough catch from Welkom at third prevented them from scoring multiple runs in the fourth. One out would’ve given Frey a shot with the bases loaded, and Frey went on to secure her third hit to lead off the fifth.

That hit generated Shore’s next scoring opportunity, with Aubree Reichard following her up with a single of her own and a sacrifice bunt from Sophia Wrench putting them in scoring position. But pop outs from Mya Lehman and Annika Clark kept the inning scoreless.

“We had way too many bloop pop flies, seven, eight or nine in my mind” emphasized Lorson. “We had second and third and one out (in the fifth) and had two bloop, foul-ball pop-outs. That made the difference in the ball game.”

That unfortunate trend repeated itself until the bitter end. Back-to-back two-out singles from Lynna Clark and Amelia Thomas got two runners on in the sixth before a pop out to Snavely stranded them. And while the Bulldogs immediately loaded the bases in the seventh, forcing a mound visit, it ended up being the defining example.

Annika Clark would get struck out for the second time to put the first out on the board. And though a sacrifice fly from Zoe Lehman got Reichard home to narrow the gap to one, Miller’s ensuing grounder was effectively fielded by first baseman Kayla Poust, who went on to tag first to seal it.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore players react to a triple by Mya Lehman during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

It was an unfortunate end to a strong shake-back season for the program. After finishing last season in the district semifinals with an 8-8 record, the Bulldogs doubled their win total in the run back. They finished the season with a 16-6 record and entered Wednesday’s contest having won six of their previous seven games.

Nonetheless, Lorson was proud of what his team had accomplished when it was all said and done.

“I told the girls in the huddle not to hang their heads low,” said Lorson. “They had a great year. It’s a compliment to everyone to get to this game. Obviously, everybody wants to win, and nobody likes losing. But it was a good ball game today, and they should have their heads held high and plow forward.”

Moving forward, the program loses three seniors in Dani Miller, Lynna Clark and Mya Lehman, who all made a tremendous impact in their own right.

They wrapped up their high school careers as two-time District 4 Class 4A champs and have more to look forward to in college, with Miller heading to Maryland Eastern Shore, Clark heading to Mansfield, Lehman heading to Navy.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Annika Clark bunts during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

“It’s been an honor coaching those three seniors,” said Lorson. “It’s been an honor to coach them all, to see them grow, get stronger not only in softball but as young, mature adults. I’m wishing everybody the best for their futures.”

Outside of those departures, Jersey Shore heads into 2027 with plenty of reason to be optimistic, as it returns seven starters. On top of returning starting pitcher Lexi Frey, it also returns six underclassmen with starting experience, including four freshmen in Amelia Thomas, Aubree Reichard, Sophia Wrench and Zoe Lehman.

With so much young talent returning, continued growth could certainly be in the cards for Jersey Shore softball in 2027.

Central Columbia 3, Jersey Shore 2

(DISTRICT 4 CLASS AAAA SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP)

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Sophia Wrench makes the play at first during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

Central Columbia 200 010 0 – 3 5 2

Jersey Shore 000 100 1 – 2 12 2

Teddi Snavely and Grace Turner. Lexi Frey and Annika Clark. W – Snavely. L – Frey.

Top Central Columbia hitters: Kayla Poust 1-3, HR, RBI run; Abby Welkom 1-2, 2B, RBI run; Teddi Snavely 1-3, RBI; Jade Flick run. Top Jersey Shore hitters: Lexi Frey 3-4; Aubree Reichard 2-3, run; Lynna Clark 2-3; Amelia Thomas 2-4; Mya Lehman 1-3, 3B, RBI; Sophia Wrench 1-3, run; Zoe Lehman RBI.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore head coach Chris Lorson meets players as they come off the field during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Dani Miller makes the play at second during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore players meet in the circle during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's leftfielder Amelia Tomas fields the ball during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Central Columbia's Teddi Snavely throws during the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Jersey Shore on Wednesday at Elm Park.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore receive runner-up medals following the District 4 Class AAAA softball final against Central Columbia on Wednesday at Elm Park.