Saturday
June 22, 2024 
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the name of Council Rock South softball player Katie Aamland.
It was the first trip to the state tournament for the Council Rock South softball team.
And the Golden Hawks put on a show, reaching the title game.
But CR South fell just shy of the state crown, falling to defending champion North Penn, 1-0, on Friday at Penn State University’s Beard Field at Nittany Lion Softball Park.
The game was pushed back three hours due to lightning.
When it finally got started, Helen Woloshyn led things off for CR South by drawing a walk in the first at-bat of the game.
North Penn pitcher Bella Nunn then fanned the next two and got the following hitter to ground out, and the Knights came to bat.
Leadoff hitter Gianna Cimino hit a solo home run over the left field fence for what would prove to be the game-winner.
CR South threatened in the top of the fifth, when Kelly Delise led off with a base hit and with two outs, moved to third when Woloshyn beat out a bunt. The next batter flied out to center field to end the inning.
“This was my last game, and it was really unbelievable that it was the state championship,” said CR South senior Gabby Bloom. “It was a really cool experience.
“Some people were not nervous, but I was definitely nervous. Once I had my first at-bat I felt like we could do this.
“It’s hard to even think about because we didn’t really do anything wrong. We got beat on the long ball and that’s it. There’s nothing for anyone to reflect on, to feel that they were the reason we lost, but at the same time it’s so frustrating to get beat by just one hit.”
“It’s been really exciting. This was an amazing way to go out. Whether or not we won, no one at our school has ever done this.”
Julia Scannapieco singled to account for the other hit by CR South.
Nunn struck out 13 Golden Hawks, gave up three hits and walked two.
Her counterpart, CR South junior Lexi Waring, struck out seven and surrendered just two hits, walked three and hit one batter, a line that typically would be good enough for a win.
It was the first run the Golden Hawks had surrendered in the tournament, winning their opening-round game against Liberty, the quarterfinal matchup with Warwick and the semifinal against Downingtown East all by the same 1-0 score.
North Penn is the only team to defeat CR South twice this season. The Golden Hawks end the year 22-4.
“We played them before and we learned stuff about them from that, but I’m sure they learned things about us, too,” Waring said. “They’re a good team.
“Obviously, this isn’t the result we wanted, but we got here, and this was a great experience for us.”
The Golden Hawks can still reflect on the season with a great deal of satisfaction. CR South won the Suburban One League Patriot Division title and finished fifth in District One play.
“Through it all we’ve stuck with each other and we’ve always given it our all, and I’m proud of that,” Waring said. “We made school history. This is disappointing, but it’s great to remember all we did this year.”
CR South will miss seniors Woloshyn, Bloom, Grace Stepp, Avery Tumolo and Maddie McLean next season.
“It’s just so great to be able to do this and for this group of seniors,” Waring said. “It’s going to be hard next year without them. I’ve gotten really close to them and I’m going to miss them.”
Katie Aamland, Tumolo and Shannon Williams rounded out the lineup for CR South.
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