Punxsy Major Softball All-Stars win 8-3 over St. Marys, earn District 10 Little League Championship title

PUNXSUTAWNEY — For the second time in this District 10 Little League tournament, the Punxsutawney Major Softball All-Stars beat the visiting St. Marys All-Stars.

Last week, Punxsy won 6-4 at home, and on Tuesday evening, the home team won 8-3. And this time around, it was for the District 10 Little League Championship title.

Punxsy opened the championship game in a big way, as two big hits gave them a 2-0 lead early on.

Lindee Reed had a single to get on base, while Emma Reed eventually brought her home with a sac fly to put the score at 1-0. Right after that, Jemma Agnello had a big hit to center field that turned into an inside-the-park home run and brought the score to 2-0.

But in the third inning, St. Marys put in two runs to tie it up at 2-2. Violet Eckles picked up an RBI and one run was scored on an error.

In the fourth inning, Punxsy pushed the lead ahead again at 4-2 after Ava Fleming had a big triple to bring home Agnello to break the tie, and Fleming eventually found home on a steal.

Punxsy pushed even more runs in the fifth inning, as Emma Young brought home Arijah Guignet on a single, while Fleming hit a single to bring in a runner to put the score at 6-2.

St. Marys put in one more run in the fifth inning, as Eckles hit a double to score a runner.

In the sixth inning, Bella Young brought home a runner on a single to make it 7-3. After that, Emma Young had a single to score a runner and bring the final score to 8-3.

The win moves Punxsy into Sectionals to be played on July 5, with all other information is to be announced.

On the mound for Punxsy, Fleming struck out eight and walked four in a full game of work.

Emma Young went 2-for-4 for with three RBIs, while Agnello was 2-for-4 and had a home run. Reed was 2-for-4, and both Fleming and Bella Young had one hit and one RBI apiece. Also, Ella Wachob and Ava Snyder had one hit.

“We did well in our base running and hitting, and I’m really impressed with Ava Fleming,” said Punxsy coach Tom Young. “All the girls contributed up and down the lineup, and Lindee Reed, Emma Young, Bella Young and Jemma Agnello have been consistent in every game.”

Photos by Cody Powell/The Punxsutawney Spirit The Punxsutawney Major Softball All-Stars beat St. Marys 8-3 on Tuesday evening to earn the District 10 Little League Championship title. (Top left photo) Jemma Agnello had an inside-the-park home run to help open the first inning for Punxsy, and (top middle photo) pictured is the team celebrating her home run. (Top right photo) Pictured is Lindee Reed tagging a runner out, while (bottom left photo) Hannah Verdill makes the catch in the outfield. (Bottom center photo) Ava Fleming had a big triple in the fourth inning for an RBI. (Bottom right photo) Pictured is the team making a lap around the field with the championship banner.