“I think we took some big strides this year. We had a great core of seniors that have been playing together for several years now, and things started to fall into place this year,” she said after Altoona was handed a 5-1 setback by State College in the rain-delayed District 6 Class 6A softball championship game on Wednesday at Central Cambria High School.

State College will face District 10 champion McDowell on Tuesday at a District 10 site to be determined.

The game was initially scheduled to be played at the Mount Aloysius College Athletic Center. Persistent rain, however, led to a change of venue to Central Cambria’s all-weather surface. The site change required both teams to make the 20-minute trip to Ebensburg. The start of the game was delayed 1 hour, 10 minutes.

Pitching, as is often the case in high-leverage settings, was the focus for both teams. Rumberger praised the efforts of senior Charli Schneider, who picked up her 200th career strikeout.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Charli. She came to us as a sophomore, and she has been the backbone of our defense for the past three years. Two hundred strikeouts is a great number. But more than that, (I like) the way she carries herself and the way that she holds her own on the mound against a good team like that,” Rumberger said.

Schneider walked two, struck out three and allowed nine hits.

“She has caused some problems for us all season long. Not all of our game scores have shown it. But she’s a great athlete. And that’s a quality team. Those coaches have done a really great job with them,” State College coach Courtney Morrison said.

State College left the bases loaded in the first inning. But Kara Rhinehart doubled in a pair of runs, and Kendall Schenck scored when a third strike eluded the catcher. Schenck led State College with four hits, including two doubles.

Altoona kept the game close until the sixth inning, when Rhinehart lofted a two-run homer that increased the State College lead to 5-1.

Paige Moriarta struck out 14 batters and walked four while she scattered four hits.

“Paige works hard for her team. She puts in a lot of work in the offseason. She is a phenomenal all-around athlete,” Morrison said.

“They have a great starting pitcher. She throws really well. She worked herself out of tough situations. So she definitely earned it,” Rumberger said.

The Mountain Lions and State College met for the third time this season. State College won the previous two games 13-1 (April 16) and 14-4 (April 23).

Pardon coach Morrison for dredging up the bromide that is commonly used when division rivals meet for a third time in the NFL playoffs.

“It is extremely difficult to beat a team three times. And Altoona came ready to hit first. They put up a really good fight, put us on our toes very early on. It came down to our girls being able to stay calm and collected,” she said.

Altoona’s lone run came when Lilly Snyder singled in Kaya Sprankle in the first. The Mountain Lions left five runners on base in the first two innings, however.

Altoona, as a Class 6A school, often travels long distances for its road games.

“We play in a really challenging (Mid-Penn) conference. I would say among the best in the state. Nothing comes easily. But I think that teaches us mental toughness, which we hope is one of the biggest lessons that these girls can take from the game,” Rumberger said.

ALTOONA (1): Sprankle c 311, Baker ss 300, Reed cf 401, Yost 3b 400, Snyder 1b 201, Schneider p 200, Cafin pr 000, Bettwy 300 lf, Rowles rf 300, Klein 2b 301. Totals — 27-1-4.

STATE COLLEGE (5): Schenck lf 414, Rhinehart 3b 412, Moriarta p 301, Wilson pr 000, Mellott ss 302, Sikirski c 400, S.Williams 1b 400, Gilmore cf 211, Witmer 2b 210, Fry ph-2b 100, L.Williams rf 300. Totals — 30-0-9.

SCORE BY INNINGS

Altoona 100 000 0 – 1 4 1

State College 030 002 x – 5 9 3

E–Rowles, Mellott 2, Rhinehart. LOB–Altoona 9, State College 9. 2B–Schenck 2. HR–Rhinehart.

Altoona pitching

Schneider (L) 6 IP 9 H 5 R 4 ER 2 BB 3 SO

State College pitching

Moriarta (W) 7 IP 4 H 1 R 0 ER 4 BB 14 SO

HBP–Gilmore, Witmer (by Schneider). WP–Moriarta 2.

Umpires–Home, Don Moss; First, Jason Durofey; Second, Doug Stratton; Third, Tom Pattison.

Records: Altoona (6-13), State College (9-7).