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Kelsea Harshbarger’s walk-off lifts Mechanicsburg past Shippensburg, qualifying Wildcats for first-ever state berth

Kelsea Harshbarger, Mechanicsburg, connects in the xx inning but Greencastle-Antrim defeats Mechanicsburg, 3-1, in the Mid-Penn softball playoffs at Newville, Pa., May. 17, 2023. Photo by Mark Pynes | pennlive.com
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In a thrilling District 3 quarterfinal contest on Thursday, it was Mechanicsburg that was left smiling at home with history made.

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Down for large stretches of the game, the No. 2 seed Wildcats topped No. 10 Shippensburg in the second round of the 5A playoffs in eight innings, advancing to the District 3 semifinals and, in doing so, punching the program’s first-ever ticket to states.

The two teams went back and forth all contest, with Shippensburg scoring a run in the first and the Wildcats answering right back.

Eventually, the contest was squared up 3-3 after Mechanicsburg tied the game up in the bottom of the sixth.

Mechanicsburg threatened in the bottom of the seventh to walk it off, as a double, walk and error loaded the bases. But Shippensburg ace Cierra Bender proceeded to strike out the side with the bases loaded to escape the jam and send the contest to extras.

The Greyhounds would put runners on first and second in the top of the eighth with one out on hits by Olivia Lebitz and Katara Smith, but Mechanicsburg pitcher Sam Rybacki would strike out two straight batters to escape.

Then, in the bottom of the eighth, Emma Rizzutto led off the inning with a walk on a full count and was moved over to second on a sac bunt. Lauren Paul would reach on an error, advancing Rizzutto to third, and after an intentional walk to Emily Bittner, Kelsea Harshbarger would come up with the bases juiced.

Harshbarger would rip a single through the hole on the right side to win the game.

Rybacki led the way for Mechanicsburg, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, while throwing eight innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out 13. Bittner and Rizzutto also recorded two hits as well, while Paul, Harshbarger and Mady Gladfelter also all had RBIs.

Bender paced Shippensburg, going 3-for-3 from the leadoff spot with two doubles, while tossing 7.2 innings on the mound, striking out eight and allowing three earned runs.

Laney Gilbert also recorded two hits, while Lebitz recorded a pair of RBIs.

Mechanicsburg advances to the semis and will host Greencastle-Antrim on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

-- Follow Dan Sostek on Twitter @dan_sostek

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