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Cambria Heights' bats went silent after manufacturing an early lead, Marion Center's Lydia Miller hit a grand slam and drove in six RBI, and the Stingers ended the Highlanders season, 12-2, in a District 6 Class 2A first round playoff game on Monday at Marion Center Community Park.
The Highlanders' Martina White walked to lead off the game and later scored on Elle Bender's RBI single. Bender came around to score on a bloop single by Rylee Bernecky that landed in between third base and home plate.
"We always try to do that," Cambria Heights coach Drew Thomas said about the quick start. "We coach up our kids to start fast and finish fast. We had a good start; we just didn't finish after that first inning."
A two run Cambria Heights lead could have been worse, but Marion Center starting pitcher Cheyenne Silvis struck out Karin Adams to end the first inning with the bases loaded.
"I think that she did great the whole game," Marion Center coach Emily Risinger said about Silvis. "I know coming back the way she did and remaining calm, she was going to do well. She's been strong all year and just confident in her abilities."
"Early on in the season we hit the ball really well," Thomas said. "We hit a cold spell and unfortunately the later part of the season we got back in our slump offensively."
Coming off an 11-day layoff didn't matter much to a streaking Marion Center team.
"It's been a long time since we have played," Marion Center coach Risinger said. "During practice we were just trying to get them some live at-bats and game like situations as much as possible."
"They worked hard that whole time that we were off though, and they knew this game was coming up, so they were ready and gave it their best."
The Stingers' bats came alive against Adams in the bottom of the second inning thanks to an RBI from freshman Kaily Anderson and a two run double by Miller.
An inning later, Kayla Hill and Anderson delivered RBIs to make it 5-2, but the game changing shot came with the bases loaded. Miller connected on the first pitch she saw, depositing it over the fence and quickly giving the Stingers some additional insurance.
Miller's slam, that carried well over the left-centerfield fence, provided the Stingers a 9-2 third inning advantage. More importantly, it provided a confidence boost for the Stingers' starting pitcher.
Silvis continued to get stronger throughout the game and didn't allow a baserunner from the third inning on.
"I was getting a little upset and frustrated at the beginning because I wasn't getting the calls that I thought I should be getting," Silvis said. "My team, and in particular that home run, picked me up and we got the bats rolling."
"That grand slam really helped," Risinger said. "Lydia has been great all year. She has power, speed, all those things that you mentioned. We know when she is up at bat, something good is about to happen."
Miller went 2 for 4 with two runs, six RBI and beat out a fifth inning grounder that was bobbled by a Highlanders' infielder.
Sophomore Gina Lane was able to work a walk to start the second inning but was left on the bases when Silvis retired the Highlanders No. 1, 2 and 3 hitters in order.
Silvis finished allowing just two hits, and three walks, while striking out four and was aided by a strong Stingers' defense behind her. Marion Center didn't commit an error and seven of her final nine outs came on balls put into play.
"I think our defense is great," Silvis said. "They were making plays look routine, getting ground balls, fly balls and turning them into outs. Can't complain about that."
Silvis also connected on her two run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning by drilling the first pitch of the at-bat against relief pitcher Sidney Nihart, and along with Abbey Smulik who singled in front of her, scored the Stingers' 10th and 11th unanswered runs.
Miller ended the game by coming around to score on an RBI single from Alexis Roush.
Mya Lipsie joined Miller and Silvis with multiple hits, smacking singles in the first and fifth innings.
Anderson and Silvis had two RBIs, Roush, and Hill delivered one each.
Cambria Heights concludes their season at 14-7.
"A lot of teams, their goal is to make the playoffs. For our seniors, they have made it four years now. Like I just told the girls, this season is nothing to hang our heads about. I'm proud of them all. This team has the most, as far as seniors, that I've had on a team. We will rebuild and we'll be back."
Marion Center (16-4) will attempt to keep their momentum going on Thursday against top-seeded Bald Eagle Area, a 15-0 winner against Homer-Center in another first round game.
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS (2): White 1-1-0-0, Nihart 2-0-0-0-0, Bender 3-1-1-1, Griak 2-0-0-0, Zeglen 1-0-0-0, Mezzelo 1-0-0-0, Bernecky 2-0-1-1, Adams 2-0-0-0, Lane 1-0-0-0, Totals 15-2-2-2.
MARION CENTER (12): Miller 4-2-2-6, My. Lipsie 4-0-2-0, Roush 4-0-1-1, Smulik 2-2-1-0, Silvis 3-1-2-2, K. Hill 2-1-1-1, Black 1-2-0-0, Malloy 3-0-0-0, Anderson 3-1-1-2, Schrecengost 0-2-0-0, Ma. Lipsie 0-1-0-0, Totals 26-12-10-12.
Cambria Heights 200 00 -- 2 2 2
Marion Center 036 21 -- 12 10 0
2B--Miller. HR--Miller, Silvis.
W--Silvis 4 K, 3 BB. L--Adams 1 K, 4 BB.