Related: Dallastown beats Wilson to reach its first district semifinal.

MILLERSVILLE -- As the only senior on Central York's softball team, Courtney Hastings wanted to do something big for her Panther teammates when they took on Elizabethtown in a District 3 Class AAAA quarterfinal at Millersville University.

So Hastings didn't see the bunt sign flashed by coach Barry Brenneman with no one out and a runner on first in the bottom of the ninth inning.

That miss was exactly what Central needed, as Hastings blasted a 2-1 pitch well over the head of Bears left fielder Cassie Berra for a walk-off double

Central York's Taylor Rohrbaugh pitches against Elizabethtown during the second inning of Thursday's District 3 Class AAAA quarterfinal. Rohrbaugh pitched a nine-inning, no-hitter in the Panthers' 1-0 victory. (Daily Record/Sunday News -- Chris Dunn)
that scored freshman Kayla Resh from first base with the game's only run in a 1-0 Panthers win.

"I had so much going through my mind. I just wanted it so bad. It's my last year, and I knew I was on her all night, and knew I was going to get it," Hastings said. "I thought it was over (the fence), but I was just happy it cleared the infield and went over their heads."

Although hard-hitting Taylor Rohrbaugh was on deck, Brenneman was sending the speedy Resh home the whole way.

"They are going to have to throw her out," the coach said. "At that point, I didn't want to go to the tiebreaker 10th.

"There was no doubt in my mind, we were going to run her."

Besides, Rohrbaugh already had done her part, no-hitting Elizabethtown and allowing only six base-runners the entire nine innings.

"I had no idea. I wasn't worried about that," Rohrbaugh said of her gem. "My adrenaline in this game was so hectic. I just wanted to keep the momentum going."

"She's been strong for us, that's the way she's been all year. Once she settled in, she was just awesome," Brenneman said.

Afterward, the sophomore Rohrbaugh was more pleased for Hastings than her own success. She even had a hunch once Resh walked to lead off the inning.

"In districts, you think this may be your last game. I am so proud of her," Rohrbaugh said. "I had a feeling deep down inside she was going to do it. Her bat has been alive throughout the whole season. It was great she won this game for us."

Central (21-3) moves into Tuesday's semifinal against YAIAA Division I foe Dallastown, which knocked off Wilson in the opening game of Thursday's doubleheader at Millersville. The semifinal is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Park.

The vaunted Panthers lineup produced only five hits off Bears pitcher Katie Dunkelberger but had plenty of chances to score, leaving 12 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the sixth and seventh innings.

Hastings was involved in one of many usual plays in the top of the eighth inning when Bears catcher Caryn Bailey was intentionally walked with two outs.

Bailey stole second and hesitated before taking off for third when the throw rolled into short center field. Hastings charged in from center, picked the ball up and ran down the speedy Bailey, although both were shaken up in a collision on the play.

"The ball was there and I started running at her like we practice," Hastings said. "She was looking at me and I knew she wasn't going to turn. She never turned so I just dove at her. She cleated my face, but that's par for the course."

It's also a pain she will take any day to keep playing.

Previous coverage:

Watch Central York's Ally Dziwis talk about the Panthers' district victory against Exeter.

Listen to Taylor Rohrbaugh talk about the Panthers and their chances in districts.

@stevenavaroli; 771-2060

 
at Millersville University
CENTRAL 1, ELIZABETHTOWN 0 (9)
E'town  000 000 000 -- 0 0 2
Central  000 000 001 -- 1 5 1

   Et, Katie Dunkelberger and Caryn Bailey; CY, Taylor Rohrbaugh and Ally Dziwis. SO-BB -- Et, Dunkelberger 4-6; CY, Rohrbaugh 13-4. W -- Rohrbaugh. L -- Dunkelberger. 2B -- CY, Courtney Hastings.