No letdown in sight as Liberty softball makes history … – lehighvalleylive.com

After Liberty softball handed Parkland its first loss of the season to win the District 11 Class 6A championship on Thursday night, the Hurricanes were a little worried about having a letdown in their PIAA first round game against Penn Manor at Patriots Park in Allentown.

But the Hurricanes avoided any letdown and made program history in the process on Monday afternoon.

Behind another stellar pitching performance by freshman Paige Zigmund, Liberty posted a 2-0 win over the District 3 runner-up for its first state playoff victory in program history.

"We worried about that a little bit that we would get let down," Liberty coach Sam Carrodo said. "We're kind of the coaching staff that is really kind of weird. When they come over on the bus, I want them dancing, singing, making as much noise as they want. I want them loose and having fun. I don't want them tense and worried about it. We came out here and they were ready to go."

"I was scared. I didn't want to come into this and feel almost too confident and just not play our regular game. But we came out and played our normal game," Zigmund said.

Liberty will play the District 1 third-place team Spring-Ford in Thursday's quarterfinals at a time and place to be determined. Spring-Ford beat District 12 champion St. Huberts 16-1 on Monday.

Zigmund certainly didn't have a letdown after holding Parkland to five hits in the district final. The freshman struck out nine and allowed four hits and two walks.

In the sixth inning, Penn Manor put two runners on with one out, but Zigmund had a strikeout and popout to end the threat.

"It's exciting as a freshman and helping my team to their first playoff game of states and winning it," Zigmund said. "We're just staying calm and keeping the confidence up that we had."

Senior first baseman Jess Watts broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with an RBI double. She followed senior designated player Miranda Kinney, who led off the frame with a double.

Watts had four RBIs in the Hurricanes' 11-2 win over Emmaus in the district semifinals.

"I just keep my head clear," Watts said. "We knew she (Penn Manor pitcher Brittany Hook) was going to throw some speed. So I knew if I just had my hands to the ball, it would go pretty far and do good for us."

"Jess Watts, what can you say about her anymore with her hitting," Carrodo said. "And just the defense, she plays solid defense all the time."

Hurricanes senior left fielder Skilee Diaz led off the sixth inning with a single. She then advanced to third on an error and a passed ball before scoring on sacrifice fly by senior center fielder Reyna DeJesus, who also had a single in the fourth inning.

"It's a great feeling overall," DeJesus said about making program history. "It's great to know that we can really show people what we've got. People really doubted us in the beginning of the season. It's just really great to show them that we can actually do it and we have a great team."

Watts, Kinney and senior catcher Cailin Donegan each had a double for Liberty, which improved to 21-5 this season.

"We all love each other," DeJesus said of the Hurricanes. "The pitching, the hitting, the fielding. We just practice so much together and we just do great together. I think it just all fits."

Josh Folck may be reached atjfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter@JoshFolck.FindLehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.