South Adams Outlasts Woodlan in Extra-Inning Sectional Final Thriller

The South Adams Starfires edged out the Woodlan Warriors in a tense 6-4 extra-inning showdown Saturday morning, capturing the sectional championship in a game packed with drama, clutch hits, and resilient performances from both dugouts.

Woodlan staged a gutsy comeback, erasing a 3-0 deficit with a three-run rally in the bottom of the fifth. After falling behind again in the top of the eighth, they couldn’t complete one final surge as South Adams sealed the win in eight hard-fought innings.

South Adams jumped on the scoreboard early with a run in the first, followed by two more in the third and another in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead. Woodlan found life in the fifth as Alyssa Harvey, Jade Lichty, and Lillian Riley sparked a three-run surge, capped by Riley’s clutch RBI double. The Warriors tied the game at 4-4 in the seventh, forcing extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, South Adams’ Shelby Weigel delivered a key RBI hit—her second of the game—while Addie Baker’s bat and arm proved instrumental. Baker not only added a solo home run earlier but also pitched all eight innings, allowing just seven hits and striking out six to earn the win.

The Warriors had contributions up and down the lineup, including two hits and three RBIs from senior Lillian Riley and a multi-hit game from Lichty. Freshman pitcher Kaycie Reed threw 7.2 innings for Woodlan, giving up six runs on eight hits while striking out two.

Despite the loss, Woodlan caps off an impressive season at 24-6, while South Adams improves to 24-5 and advances in the state tournament, riding the momentum of a gritty victory and the powerful arm of senior leader Addie Baker.

South Adams now advances in the state tournament, riding the momentum of a gritty victory and the powerful arm of senior leader Addie Baker.