Delone Catholic softball looks toward state tournament

As the Delone Catholic softball team danced around the diamond, celebrating its first district title since 1999, manager Don Smith admitted he was a little surprised. One, by the 10-3 final score over Kutztown in the championship game and, two, that this year's team won instead of last year's squad, which went on to reach the PIAA quarterfinals.

But the Squirettes, who are the only York-Adams team still alive, caught a few breaks, he said, and hit their stride late in the season. After back-to-back losses in mid-April, Delone won eight in a row before falling to Central York in the YAIAA title game, then outscored three district postseason opponents, 22-4.

Now, with a district championship in hand, the Squirettes, who have never won a state title, are four wins away from making history. Just four more wins and they can add a state championship to the trophy case next to the shiny, new district champion gold medals. They'll get District 12 runner-up Philadelphia Academy Charter on Monday at York College in the first round of states. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.