Some refer to a magical-type season as fate. Some attribute it to grit and character.
In the case of the Palisades Pirates’ softball season, it’s easily a combination of both.
The Pirates will play in a state Class 3A quarterfinal game Thursday against District Four champion North-Penn Liberty at Central Columbia High School. They advanced to the round with a 9-5 victory over Conwell Egan in an opening-round game June 5. Palisades earlier routed MaST Community Center, 17-0, in a play-in game.
In their win over Egan, lone senior and catcher Ashley Amato smacked her first varsity homer, a two-run shot that helped spark a five-run, fourth-inning that changed the game.
With the win, Palisades raised its record to 23-2 and has won 20 of 21 contests, including a 10-4 victory over Pine Grove Area to capture the District 11 Class 3A crown last Wednesday. The Pirates are in the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. That team advanced to the semifinals.
Call it fate, grit and character.
Amato is simply having a good time. She is clinging to every pitch, as she will end her softball career with this run.
“I’m so excited for the rest of states,” she gushed. “I believe we have a very good shot to play at Penn State. We all have created a bond that is so strong that even when we’re down, we are still supporting each other. I love that I am able to keep my softball career going even though I am done with high school.
“I am working hard with (pitcher) Karlye (Teman) to make sure the team is always excited for whatever comes next.”
Teman, a sophomore who has 275 strikeouts and 543 for her career, is striving to win for her teammate. She feels confident after their first-round victory; last year, they collapsed in an opening-round, 14-0 loss to Lewisburg.
“The first round of states last year was a home game, and so many people showed up,” she said. “We were nervous and just didn’t play like we knew how to play. This year, we were very determined to get past the first round because of how upsetting it was last year.
“We are trying to get as far as possible for Ashley, who will no longer be playing softball after this season.”
Head coach Jill Amato, Ashley’s mother, has set the tone for her players. The Pirates have won 39 games over the past two years.
“Heading into this round we were very excited,” stressed Amato. “We have a lot of energy and momentum. We are working on one game at a time. All the girls are excited and are working together to make this the best run through states possible. We know we have to bring full intensity, drive and desire from the first pitch to the last.
“No game from here on out will be easy, and we won’t take any of them for granted. We just keep telling them to keep doing what they have been doing.”
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
