MEC repeats as District 1 champs

Titusville's head coach Randy Baker probably said it best Friday night after the Mid-East/Cochranton 12U all-stars beat his team to force the "if necessary" game the following day. 

​"Whoever makes the least amount of errors is the team that will win in the end."

​MEC and Titusville are pretty evenly matched, with good hitters from top to bottom. They all have the ability to field the ball cleanly when they are firmly in the zone.

So when they met again just fifteen-hours later to play another game for the championship, both teams knew they had to be at their best if they were going to win.

​The top of the first may have prophetized Baker's words when starting pitcher Nora Lesko got the first three MEC batters to hit routine balls to the infield, but the third batter Karmyn Reese reached on an error. Then a couple plays later another throwing error plated Reese.

MEC drew first blood because of mistakes that happen.

To counter, Titusville's Nora Lesko then lead off the bottom of the inning with a single to centerfield. On the hit and run to follow Lesko ended up at third and then scored on grounder to short to tie the game.

This was an evenly match couple of squads testing each other at this point - seeing who might flinch first.

The second inning was uneventful for both teams. Lesko and Reese both seemed to be in control on the mound.

The third was another case of MEC pecking away and taking advantage of Titusville mishaps to score a couple to take the lead back.

Mackenzie Gerow walked. Payton Phillips sacrificed her to second setting up a Karmyn Reese RBI single to center. Reese with some gutsy running and a single by Reese "Fun-size" Stanford also found home plate to put MEC up 3-1.

In the bottom of the third Nora Lesko again reached base  with a shot to right field. She made it to third but Titusville was unable to plate her.

"Hey... That was huge," an MEC coach yelled as the team ran off the field still ahead 3-1.

​The fourth and fifth innings for MEC had the makings for more runs, but Titusville's defense tighten up when it needed to and prevented more scoring.

Titusville also couldn't push anyone across the plate until the fifth when Nora Lesko again singled and made her way around the bases bringing the score to 3-2. They unfortunately had a base running snafu on an outfield fly ball with the bases loaded. The runner on third did not attempt to score.

 They then left the bases loaded unable to score more runs and retake momentum.

​But Titusville, down just 3-2 was right there with MEC and it was anyone's game still at the end of five innings.

Then the floodgates opened up.

​MEC came to bat ready to take control of the game.

Stella Lippert got it going with a speedy sprint to first on squib hit in the infield.  This brought up the top of the order.

And they took charge. 

In all 11 batters stepped up to hit in the top of the sixthh and seven of them scored to put a lot of cushion between them and Titusville's final at bat.

​Titusville, then facing the weight of an eight point deficit didn't seem to have enough wind in their sails to counter MEC's huge inning. The game ended at 10-2.

MEC won their second District 1 title in as many years. And both years it took the if necessary game to get there. Perseverance.

Umpire and District 1 league official Bill Dithrich said at the end of the game as he was presenting the champions with their medals and banner that it was his pleasure for him to have officiated all three of their meetings. He pointed at how each team could've come out on top. He spoke highly of how they both battled out of jams in the games and how they seemed to respect each other and the game of softball.

Dithrich pointed toward Titusville and told them to hold their heads high because they are a heck of a team.

"They're taking it hard, obviously," said Titusville coach Randy Baker after the game.  "It wasn't the outcome they wanted, not the outcome we wanted as coaches. It was a tough game, we played tight except for one inning. It just comes down to little mistakes and we made a couple of those at the beginning of the game and felt like it just kinda set that tone for the game. We get those outs, we get out of the inning, we don't give up those runs in those innings... if we shut that down and we come out and get runs, now the pressure is on them."

​MEC coach Ashleigh Smith agrees. "What a game is right, we made the plays when we needed to, got on base when we needed to. It was anyone's game and... one inning is where we got it. I don't even know what to say, I'm speechless, it has been a tough road... but a fun road."

​MEC did it with out their star left-handed pitcher Abigail Mawhinney who had another commitment with her travel ball team Saturday.

But MEC pitched Reese who, in the end, only gave up two runs to a solid hitting Titusville team. "I've got to give Karmyn Reese a lot of credit, she threw, she hit her spots and our defense was there when we needed it. But Karm threw one heck of a game, I'm proud of her," Phillips said.

Titusville's coach said the players aren't done playing softball this year. "None of their seasons are over, they all play travel ball. I told them it's not the end of softball for you. It's the end of this, which is tough, because you want to to go on from here, sections is a big thing. Winning districts is kind of a bragging rights thing you know... But I can't give enough credit to Ashleigh and them. Their team, from top to bottom... I think it shows.. both our teams are pretty even, it just comes down to mistakes." And his team was younger this year and he says they'll be back. "We only have three moving up, so our team should be very tough next year."

Baker's last thoughts on his team this year glowed in pride and respect.

"Everyone of them is such a great kid. Attitude-wise, character-wise, they did everything we asked of them, every time, even when they made a mistake they bounced right back ready to make the next play. You don't always have that with every team you coach, but these ten girls here, they've been great the whole time."

For Phillips and the District 1 champion MEC squad it is moving on to the next level in hopes to make it to states. "Usually it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, lucky for me and seven of these girls it's happened twice now," she said. Her advice for her team: "Come, play your game and have fun."

And from the looks of their after win celebration, they do know how to have fun.

Shaving cream and all.

See more photos from the Titusville v. MEC two games here.

One last one:

Irelynn Brenot sticks the top of her shirt in her mouth when she bats. One the many years I've covered this sport I've seen this many times. But today Brenot, running to second had to deal with the fact that her shirt had caught in her braces and then needed teammate help when she returned to the dugout to free her shirt. Of course, her teammates had a good laugh, as did she.

See more photos from the Titusville v. MEC two games here.