The senior softball player pitched a complete-game two-hitter with two walks and six strikeouts, and went 1 for 3 with a home run to lead Valley View to a 1-0 victory over Tunkhannock, as the Cougars captured their fourth straight District 2 Class 4A softball championship.

Family: Father, Ryan; mother, Danielle; brother, Brody

Coach: Mia Wascura

What did winning this district championship mean to you: It meant a lot to me, especially since I’m a senior and it’s my last year and just the adrenaline of knowing it’s one-and-done now if we lose. I feel like it really fueled the entire team to push for the seniors for their last year.

You pitched a two-hit shutout. What was working for you on the mound and how were you able to settle in: I was just trying to stay relaxed. My changeup was working really well. The night before, I was actually working on all my spin work, so that really helped me in the game.

Take me through the at-bat where you hit the home run and how you were able to get good contact: Actually, right before I went up to the box, Coach Mia called a timeout, and she pulled me to the side and she said this is what you’re meant for, just do your thing, and it kind of just relaxed me. I was trying to slow down the game and just look for my pitch.

In a game like that, how are you able to handle the mental aspect of the game? How do you stay so calm and thrive under pressure situations like that: I feel like just throughout the years of travel ball I’ve kind of learned how to handle pressure situations, and I feel like I thrive off pressure situations just knowing that I have to make an impact on the game and do something to help my team.

How proud are you of this team to once again beat a very tough Tunkhannock team in the district final: I’m really proud of everyone, especially the freshman. They’re doing a really good job. They’re meshing well with all the girls, and it’s just been a really fun season.

What was the atmosphere of that game like? Did the Valley View fans travel well: Yeah, the atmosphere was crazy. We had everyone yelling. There were a ton of boys up on the railroads at Wilkes. It was just really fun to see that the community supports us.

You won a state title last season, and lost some key players to graduation, including Kalli Karwowski and Taylor Cawley. How did this team develop this season: I say this all the time, softball will humble you no matter who you are as a person or player. It’s about how you come back from the setbacks. So, I feel like we struggled at first in the beginning of the season, but we worked really hard in practice to come back and we know that we have to get it done now.

You were dealing with shin splints throughout the season. How did you work through that: It was hard for me at first to not be able to be on the field my senior year, but I took rehab really seriously and I had to slow myself down so that I could be good for playoffs.

You’ve probably become even more of a leader. What has your role been like this season: I feel like as a leader I’ve been just trying to keep the girls in a positive mindset. When something doesn’t go our way, I try to uplift them and tell them, ‘Hey, you’ll be fine. Just keep going to the next play.’ And I feel like that’s what I like doing. I’m majoring in sports psychology, so I enjoy helping athletes with the struggle of the game. So, I feel like I play a big role in that part on the team.

Is there a teammate that has impressed you the most with their development or how they stepped up this season: Definitely Ella Swingle. She’s hitting the ball really well and she’s really good at second base and doing her thing.

How excited are you to get to Clemson: I’m really excited. It’s just a whole new chapter of my life and I just can’t wait to see where it leads me.

Athlete you admire: Definitely Karlyn Pickens from Tennessee. She’s a hard worker, and she doesn’t let things get to her head, and she actually just set the record for the faster pitch ever thrown in softball history. So, I just look up to that.

Do you have any superstitions or rituals: I always have to drink an Alani energy drink, and I have to wear bubbles in my hair, and then I go for a drive before the game.

Favorite food: Steak and rice

Favorite sports teams: Definitely Clemson, and then for football probably the Raiders.

Favorite movie: “The Notebook”

Favorite TV show: Love Island

Favorite musical artist: Drake

Three people you’d like to have dinner with: Karlyn Pickens, (former Clemson softball player) Maddie Moore and (Clemson softball coach) John Rittman.