The team came into their regionals showdown looking to rebound after a loss to West Suburban Wednesday. Their opponent was a familiar squad they faced earlier in the week in Northern Tier. It was win or go home as they looked to move into their quest championship round with a possible rematch against Suburban.

However, on this night, it was the Northern Tier team that found the gaps as they eliminated Nittany Valley, 10-5, at Sichler Field in the Region 4 semifinals.

“It’s been a pleasure to coach this group. From the time they were 7 years old all the way up,” said Nittany Valley coach Ryan Campbell-Tubbs. “I knew after last night that might kind of be a struggle. We came out, I thought we were pretty well prepared mentally.”

Northern Tier broke out quickly, posting four runs in the top of the first.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Nittany Valley major softball competes against Northern Tier in the Regional 4 semifinals at Sichler Field. The Nittany Valley majors fell, 10-5, to close out their summer run.

With one out, Lilian Ward started off the hitting with a single to centerfield. Lily Bickel kept the inning moving with a single into left field. Bricelynn Yearick smashed an RBI single into left field. Gabby George’s blast to centerfield brought in Bickel and Yearick, putting her team up 3-0. George scored on a single to right, ending the first inning scoring with a 4-0 advantage.

Nittany Valley’s defense rebounded, holding Northern scoreless in the second. They then cut the Northern Tier lead in half in their frame of the second, scoring two.

Riley Solt started things off with an infield single. Avelyn Henry walked. Trinity King loaded the bases hustling out an infield single of her own. Megan Campbell-Tubbs posted an RBI single, bringing in Henry. And with two outs, Lauren Roan singled in Trinity King, making it a 4-2 contest.

Unfortunately for Nittany Valley, Northern Tier’s offense was back in full swing in the third and fourth, posting three in each inning to up their advantage to 10-2. But like they have throughout this post season the Nittany Valley bats came alive in the fifth, posting three.

With Rian on first after bouncing into a fielders’ choice, Kenzie Weber joined her on the base paths. Facing two outs in the inning, Sydney Smith then kept the inning alive as she hustled out another Nittany Valley infield hit. With the bases loaded, Mackenzie Kellogg walked to pick up an RBI. Riley Solt blasted a two-RBI single into centerfield to cut the lead in half at 10-5.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Nittany Valley major softball competes against Northern Tier in the Regional 4 semifinals at Sichler Field. The Nittany Valley majors fell, 10-5, to close out their summer run.

However, it wouldn’t be enough as the Northern Tier defense was able to hold Nittany Valley in their at last at bats to clinch the victory.

“They hit the ball tonight. You know, their pitcher kept us off balance,” said Campbell-Tubbs. “We made a run here and there, but we had bases loaded a couple times and just couldn’t break through. We couldn’t get that big inning rolling.”

“At the end of the day, I hope the girls just had a blast. We had a blast, he continued.

I think a couple of them are still coming back to Little League next year, but for the most part, this was the last game they’re gonna have. So, I hope they remember it, and I hope it’s fond memories. And like I said, I hope they all kind of move forward and keep growing.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Nittany Valley major softball competes against Northern Tier in the Regional 4 semifinals at Sichler Field. The Nittany Valley majors fell, 10-5, to close out their summer run.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Nittany Valley major softball competes against Northern Tier in the Regional 4 semifinals at Sichler Field. The Nittany Valley majors fell, 10-5, to close out their summer run.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Nittany Valley major softball competes against Northern Tier in the Regional 4 semifinals at Sichler Field. The Nittany Valley majors fell, 10-5, to close out their summer run.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Nittany Valley major softball competes against Northern Tier in the Regional 4 semifinals at Sichler Field. The Nittany Valley majors fell, 10-5, to close out their summer run.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Nittany Valley major softball competes against Northern Tier in the Regional 4 semifinals at Sichler Field. The Nittany Valley majors fell, 10-5, to close out their summer run.