From Staff Reports
KEYSER, W.Va. — Knowing their season ended on Saturday whether they won or lost, the Potomac State Catamounts went out on the highest of notes by winning the school’s first ever Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association title with an overwhelming performance against Lucerne at Keyser High School.
Kayla Stickel increased her season home run total from four to seven, and teamed with Rochelle Wolford for a no-hitter as Potomac State won the conference title with an 11-1 win followed by a 23-0 shutout.
Stickel went deep twice in the 11-1 first-game win. She hit a two-run shot in the first, and helped the Cats go ahead 8-0 by hitting a three-run bomb in the second. Taylor Butts added two doubles, and Shelia Armel added a two-run double.
Aaryka Anglin picked up the win by allowing three singles, one earned run, no walks and striking out five.
In game two, Stickel hit a three-run homer in the third, and drove in four more runs with two doubles and a single. She finished the day with 12 RBIs and six hits.
She combined with Wolford to allow just one base runner on a walk, and just one strikeout.
“I think it’s a testament to how good they are as pitchers,” said Jim Walton, PSC head coach. “They don’t overpower anyone, but do a great job of keeping hitters of balance getting them to hit a weak ground ball or a pop-up.”
Joining in on Potomac State’s 23-hit contest was Brittany Kolb, who went 5-for-5. She hit a two-run home run in the third, doubled once and singled three times for a total of three RBIs. Armel added two doubles and a single with three RBIs, and Morgan Shockey hit a double and two singles. Brittany Wright had a triple, double and two singles, and Kayla Watts singled in all four of her at bats.
The PCAA title is determined by the winner of the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference playing the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference. Lucerne won the EPCC, while the Cats won the WPCC by beating Westmoreland two weeks ago.
“I was very fortunate to have a hard working group of players that were always enjoyable to be around,” said Walton, reflecting on the season’s end. “We were able to accomplish all but one of our goals, which was to win the Region XX Tournament, but it was rewarding to be able to go out with two big wins like today.”
Potomac State finishes the season at 22-14, going 12-4 over the final 16 games.
