Miletos and Miller help Loyalsock rally vs. Jersey Shore in softball | News, Sports, Jobs

And all three helped Loyalsock produce a big comeback win.

Sofia hit a game-tying, seventh inning RBI single and Bella a two-run go-ahead single, while Miller threw a five-hit gem as Loyalsock rallied and edged Jersey Shore, 4-2 in a showdown between Heartland Conference division champions.

Kathryn Ray sparked the game-winning rally with her second single and Loyalsock (16-1) did not flinch after Jersey Shore (12-4) had scored twice in the bottom of the sixth and taken a 2-1 lead.

“It was a good victory against a good team,” Loyalsock coach Mark Godfrey said. “The atmosphere was like a playoff game and that’s what you want at this time of year.”

Sophia Miller of Loyalsock pitches in the first inning against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore. Loyalsock won 4-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

That made it even better for the Mileto cousins ​​who went to work after Ray hit her lead-off single to open the seventh before moving to second on Maddie Luxenberger’s groundout. Sofia then worked a 2-1 count before ripping her single into right field, bringing home Ray and tying the game, 2-2.

“It felt really good. We’re in a slump with our hitting so it felt really good to hit the ball and get us going,” Sofia said. “When I got that hit, everyone was cheering and everyone was up.”

Following the second out, it seemed like Jersey Shore might snuff out that momentum. Lydia Kresock fell behind 0-2, but produced a super eight-pitch at-bat, fouling off two pitches and working a walk. Shyla Fulp also stayed disciplined and drew another walk, loading the bases and setting the stage for Bella Mileto.

A day earlier, Mileto hit two lasers which seemed like sure doubles off the bat, but both went right to outfielders. This time, she learned from previous at-bats and blooped her two-run single down the right-field line. It was perfectly hit into no-man’s land in shallow right field and nearly landed exactly on the line as Loyalsock went ahead, 4-2.

“I was just trying to get a base here. I wasn’t trying to over swing because I knew if I did I probably would have just popped it up,” Bella said. “I was just trying to hit it solid and hit it hard and hope it goes through. We had the momentum at that point. Everything was going our way and I felt good about the rest of the game.”

Sofia Mileto (9) and Gracie Montgomery (25) of Loyalsock celebrate after scoring in the 7th inning against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore. Loyalsock won 4-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Sofia and Bella have been feeling good about playing alongside each other this season. Both have played crucial roles in Loyalsock winning 16 of 17 games and repeating as HAC-III champions. They combine with center fielder Katie Ryder to provide Loyalsock one of the area’s best outfields and have also been consistent hitters throughout the season.

They are cousins, but share a deeper bond. The Mileto’s also bring out the best in each other and that, in turn, makes Loyalsock better.

“She’s more like a sister. She helps me with a lot,” Sofia said. “It’s pretty nice. I only have one season left so I’m trying to get everything I can with her.”

“We’ve been playing for a long time, so to play on the same team and see us both succeed in the same game is really great since it’s my last year playing with her,” Bella said. “I try to pick her up when she’s down and she tries to pick me up when I’m down. We know each other the best so we try and push each other to our full capacity.”

Miller is reaching her full capacity in her first full season of varsity pitching. A few days after her freshman season ended last May, Miller was back at work preparing for the 2024 campaign. It has paid off in a big way with her going 11-1 and stifling powerful Holy Redeemer and Jersey Shore offenses within a five-day span.

Bella Mileto of Loyalsock connects on a 2-RBI single in the 7th inning against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore. Loyalsock won 4-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jersey Shore, which roared back with big wins against Shikellamy and Central Mountain to capture a share of the HAC-I title, had scored 30 runs and produced 33 hits in its last three games. But Miller never let the Bulldogs get going Thursday, allowing no earned runs, spinning and spotting her pitches well and keeping them off-balance.

Equally impressive, Miller never changed her demeanor no matter the situation. That helped her strand three runners over the last two innings to seal the win.

“I knew this was going to be a good game. I know a lot of the girls on this team and they can hit and they can pitch and they can field, so I knew it would be a challenge,” Miller said. “I was just really excited for this game. I’ve been waiting all week for this game.”

Her performance was worth the wait. Miller retired eight straight batters between the second and fourth innings and, after allowing two first-inning singles, did not surrender another until the sixth. After Kaitlyn Herman hit a seventh inning lead-off single, Miller remained poised and retired the next three batters, clinching the win.

It was the latest strong outing from a player who went 3-0 at the Williamsport Tournament before throwing a four-hitter at Redeemer. The big games are the ones Miller has especially embraced and they continue to bring out her best.

Addi Barowy of Loyalsock scores in the 7th inning against Jersey Shore in Jersey Shore. Loyalsock won 4-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I’m really happy with the fight and composure of Sophie Miller,” Godfrey said. “She moved the ball, threw what we asked her to throw to the best of her ability and did a great job.”

“I’ve worked very hard for this,” Miller said. “I love pitching against teams that have great hitters because it challenges me even more. I wanted to finish the game out strong.”

She did, but Jersey Shore also put up a fight again. A team which has twice overcome late-game multiple-run deficits to win fought back in the bottom of the sixth and took a 2-1 lead. Dani Miller sparked the rally with a one-out single before a two-out error kept the inning alive and put two runners in scoring position.

Jaymison Stellfox took it from there and delivered a clutch two-run single into left field as Jersey Shore grabbed its first lead. Miller, however, limited the damage following a Jocelyn McCracken walk and stranded both runners.

Like it did last week at Midd-West, Loyalsock didn’t panic when trailing late and Ray fanned the comeback flames with her lead-off single. She also opened the second inning with a single before Luxenberger bunted her to second and she scored the game’s first run on a two-out error.

Danielle Miller, left, and Mya Lehman, right, of Jersey Shore celebrate after scoring against Loyalsock during the 6th inning in Jersey Shore. Loyalsock won 4-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Anna Luxenberger was a big reason Loyalsock took that 1-0 lead using a timely defensive stop to help Miller extinguish a first inning threat. Grace Russell and Isabelle Engle hit one-out singles and runners were on the corners when Luxenberger caught a line drive and tagged first for an inning ending double play as the resourceful Lancers continued producing in key moments.

“At the Williamsport Tournament, we were hitting so well,” Bella Mileto said. “Lately, we haven’t been hitting as well but we’re finding a way to win, and in the end that’s all that matters.”

Loyalsock 010 000 3-4 6 3

Jersey Shore 000 002 0–2 4 1

Sophia Miller and Maddie Luxenberger. Isabelle Engel, Lexi Frey (7) and Kaitlyn Herman. W–Miller (11-1). L–Engel, (7-2).

Top Loyalsock hitters: Bella Mileto 2-4, 2 RBIs; Kathryn Ray 2-3, 2 runs; Sofia Mileto 1-3, RBI, run; Anna Luxenberger 1-3. Top Jersey Shore hitters: Jaymison Stellfox 1-3, 2 RBIs; Grace Russell 1-3; Angel 1-3; Herman 1-3; Dani Miller 1-4, run.

Records: Loyalsock (16-1), Jersey Shore (12-4).

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