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District Heavyweights Trade Punches, Tigers Edge Konkrete Kids in Playoff-Type Battle

District Heavyweights Trade Punches, Tigers Edge Konkrete Kids in Playoff-Type Battle

By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | May 2, 2026 | Photo courtesy Madelyn Bevan

This wasn’t just another regular-season game. It felt like a preview of what May softball is supposed to look like.

District 2 No. 2 Tunkhannock and District 11 No. 2 Northampton squared off in a matchup loaded with talent, and both aces answered the call.

Michaela Howell was electric in the circle for the Tigers, striking out 11 across a complete-game effort while allowing just one earned run. Every big moment seemed to find the senior right-hander, and every time, she delivered.

Not to be outdone, Northampton’s Rylee Gable matched Howell punch for punch. Gable also recorded 11 strikeouts over six innings and kept the Konkrete Kids within striking distance all afternoon.

Tunkhannock landed the first blow in the second inning when Kianna Hannon ripped a double to bring home the game’s opening run.

Northampton answered in the fifth as Avery Deibert lined a clutch RBI single down the right field line to even things at 1-1 and shift the pressure back to the home side.

The Tigers responded immediately.

In the bottom of the fifth, Alli Kinney grounded out but got the job done, bringing home what proved to be the game-winning run and restoring a 2-1 lead.

From there, Howell closed the door.

Kayden Bamberger led the Tigers offensively with two hits, while Hannon and Kinney each drove in a run. Addisyn Waterman also crossed the plate in a game where every run mattered.

For Northampton, Kiley Henritzy and Hannah Duerr each collected two hits, while Deibert supplied the lone RBI.

Two ranked teams. Two dominant pitchers. One playoff-style battle.

And when the dust settled, it was Tunkhannock standing tall.

Player of the Game

Michaela Howell – Tunkhannock
7.0 IP | 6 H | 1 R | 1 ER | 1 BB | 11 SO
Owned the circle from start to finish and delivered in a game where every pitch mattered.

Tunkhannock Top Performers