Hillsdale Wins State Championship Without Allowing A Run

There are dominant tournament runs then there are those like the Hillsdale softball team enjoyed on their way to the Division IV State Softball Championship.

In a battle of traditional powers, combining for 13 championships and 31 Final Four appearances, the top-ranked Lady Falcons held #11 Strasburg-Franklin (23-6) in check like they’d done to every state tournament opponent up to this point. Hillsdale senior pitcher Sydney Long threw a complete game shutout, holding the Tigers hitless until their final out of the 7th inning.

Long would also provide some fireworks from the plate, giving the Lady Falcons a 2-0 edge in the bottom half of the opening frame which she credits for her level of comfort from the circle, along with their stingy defense. Hillsdale would add three runs in the 5th inning with freshman shortstop Josie Rowland smacking an RBI triple, and they’d close out a 5-0 title-clinching victory with their seventh consecutive shutout of the postseason.

The #1 Lady Falcons finish the season on a 17 game win streak at 27-2, posting 16 shutouts during their championship campaign. It marks the 7th State Championship for the Hillsdale Softball program (2018, 2010, 2000, 1999, 1996, 1994, 1979) who will graduate four seniors in Long, catcher Kaylee Cline, 2nd baseman Keirah Smetzer and OF Maryellen Bliss.