When Northampton and Whitehall faced off in the EPC semifinals on Monday, it was the first time in almost two years that the rivals had played each other. With the teams evenly matched, each boasting 9 EPC All-Stars, it was no surprise that it took extra innings to reach a verdict. The K-Kids tied the game in the bottom of the seventh and won it in the eighth 3-2.

Pitcher Maddie Cunningham helped her own cause when she drove in two runs with a 2-out single in the top of the third. Lindsey Gawrys scored from third and Abigail Reese sprinted home from second.

Rilee Ehrlacher drew the K-Kids to within one when she led off the bottom of the third by smashing a 1-0 pitch down the leftfield line and over the fence for a home run.

The game stayed tight with the pitching of Cunningham and her Northampton counterpart, Kaitlyn Renson. The two were helped by web gems by both of their defenses.

Reese saved at least one run by going deep into the hole at short and nipping the runner at first to get the Zephyrs out of a first-and-third situation in the second inning.

Kendyll Strohl made a diving snag on an attempted bunt to hold a runner at first.

Emma Bonshak made a sliding catch in leftfield immediately after the Ehrlacher home run to squelch the K-Kids’ momentum.

Northampton turned a textbook 6-4-3 double play in the top of the seventh to set up the drama to come.

Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Jessie Hunt led off with a ground rule double to right that one-hopped over the fence. Courtesy runner Ryley Stanchock was sacrificed to third. Ehrlacher came up with two outs and ripped a single to left to drive home the tying run.

In the top of the eighth Northampton’s third pitcher of the night, Kaira Zamadics, retired the Zephyrs in order.

Taylor Kranzley led of the bottom of the eighth with a line shot to the centerfield fence for a double. After Cunningham retired the next two batters without Kranzley advancing, Ren Herschman hit an 0-2 pitch back up the middle. The ball took a big hop and glanced off the fielder’s glove into shallow center. Kranzley raced home to give the K-Kids the win.

Northampton head coach Kristy Henritzy spoke about the Kids rivalry with the Zephyrs.

“I’ll be excited to get back to that (playing Whitehall twice in the regular season). It’s a good rivalry,” she said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for them. I hugged Ed Stinner when he came in today. It’s just good ball.”

Northampton faces Freedom tonight at 7 p.m. at Pates Park for the EPC title. Freedom was a 3-2 winner over Parkland in the other semifinal. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Go to Latest News on the epc18.org website for the link to buy tickets.

Districts start next Thursday. The EPC champion will be the top seed. Parkland will be the second seed. Northampton will either be first or third. Whitehall will be third or fourth. There will not be a rematch unless both teams make the district final.