​Mansfield — In a winner-take-all showdown for the 8-10 Softball Section 3 championship on Saturday, Towanda did what Warrior Run hadn’t managed in their first two meetings: score early. Warrior Run, however, did not flinch after Towanda surged to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, and they gradually chipped away with one-run frames in four different innings to secure the Section 3 title with a 4-2 victory, earning a berth in the state tournament.
With the win, Warrior Run advances to the state tournament, which kicks off in South Williamsport on Wednesday night. The District 13 and Section 3 champions will take on Christmas City Little League from the Lehigh Valley at 5:30 p.m. in the opening round.
In their first meeting earlier in the week, Towanda stunned Warrior Run by erupting for five runs in the sixth inning. The second meeting saw Warrior Run seize control early and then withstand a late Towanda rally. On Saturday, Towanda jumped out to a 2-0 advantage when Eme Maye tripled on the third pitch of the game and later scored on a single. Jonica Owen drove in Maye and doubled home Owen, setting the tone for Towanda’s early offense. That would be Towanda’s only offense against Warrior Run starter Elizan Solomon and reliever Riley MacDonald.
Warrior Run answered in the bottom of the first with a run as Johara Smith singled and later stole home. The District 13 champions tied the game in the second on a wild pitch that allowed Ava Musser to score. The lead flipped again in the fourth when Smith singled and later crossed the plate on a groundout by Solomon. An insurance run for Warrior Run came in the fifth when a passed ball allowed Shane to score, giving their pitchers the cushion they needed.
Solomon worked 1 1/3 innings and struck out four. MacDonald was solid in relief, tossing 4 2/3 innings and allowing only two hits while striking out seven. She also threw 40 of her 52 pitches for strikes. The Warrior Run defense backed the duo with timely plays, and the pitching duo limited Towanda’s offense to a couple of timely hits.
In the section-heavy matchup details, Towanda’s Vanderpool finished 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while Eme Maye went 1-for-3 with a triple and a run. For Warrior Run, Johara Smith went 2-for-2 with two runs, Natalie Shaner contributed a 1-for-2 game with a run, and Solomon drove in a run. The winning pitcher was MacDonald, who shaded Towanda by keeping their offense in check after the early two-run burst. Vanderpool took the loss for Towanda.
The Section 3 tournament at Mansfield showcased a tense, strategic duel, culminating in Warrior Run’s 4-2 victory that sealed the championship and propelled them toward the state tournament. As they prepare for the South Williamsport opening round, the Lakers of Warrior Run will look to carry the momentum into the state competition, while Towanda will seek to regroup and rebound in non-league and postseason play.
Towanda’s notable performances included Vanderpool’s multi-hit effort and Maye’s early triple, providing a spark in the early innings. Warrior Run responded with timely hits and a disciplined approach on the mound, led by Solomon and MacDonald, to maintain their composure and edge the Towanda offense in the decisive game.
The 8-10 Softball Section 3 Championship in Mansfield delivered a competitive contest with strategic baserunning, clutch hitting, and strong pitching, ultimately awarding Warrior Run the Section 3 title and a chance to compete for state glory. The game’s sequence—Towanda’s early lead, Warrior Run’s steady claw back, and strategic pitching by Solomon and MacDonald—defined a championship performance that will be remembered as Warrior Run’s path to the state tournament. The teams, their fans, and the local softball community now anticipate the next chapter in this playoff run, with Warrior Run set to open state play in South Williamsport on Wednesday night.