There’s a reason every team wants to hit last.

Knowing what you have to do in order to win in your last at-bat is a luxury most coaches relish.

On Friday evening at the Penn Forest Township Recreational Park, the Carbon All-Star major softball squad faced that situation with a District 18 championship on the line.

After Weatherly came from two runs behind to tie the game in the top of the sixth, the hosts pushed across the deciding run in the bottom of the inning to register a 4-3 walk-off victory and the title.

“Going into the sixth inning, they were at the top of their (lineup) and we knew we were going to be at the top of ours,” said Carbon manager Anna Leigh Conway. “So, I think we felt pretty good there. We came here to do a job, and they were able to do that.

“It’s always a battle when it comes to them.”

With Carbon leading 3-1, the Wreckers knotted the score in an unusual fashion. Cassidy Witner and Mackenzie Clabia both worked walks to put the tying runs on base. After a sharp groundout to first in which Carbon’s Lydia Steward made an impressive play, both Weatherly runners moved up and into scoring position.

Carbon pitcher Carlee Confer recorded a strikeout for what looked to be the final out, but the high pitch couldn’t be handled and the runner from third scored. When Carbon unsuccessfully tried to throw to first to complete the strikeout, the other Wrecker runner raced home to make it 3-3.

“That was great,” said Weatherly mentor Rachel Witner. “We took advantage of the dropped third (strike) and got two in and tied it up. (Before the inning) I told them it’s not over yet and we have to capitalize right now and they did that. And they believed in themselves. They dug deep, had grit and got back in it. But we just fell short in the end.”

The rally only set up the dramatic bottom of the sixth.

With one out, Steward delivered a solid single. Sophia Fioris followed with a sharp grounder to short, but when the throw got away at first, Steward raced home with the winning run.

“I don’t think it’s going to sink in right away, but we look forward to the journey ahead of us,” said Conway. “I could not have asked for a better coaching staff and a better group of kids to do this with, every family cheering on the sideline, everybody getting the kids to practices. Put it all together and we got the W today.”

Weatherly got the early jump, looking to erase the bad taste from Thursday’s loss. Witner’s club took advantage of three walks in the opening frame, the final one to Rylee Minnick to give them a 1-0 lead.

“Yes, it was nice to get a lead, but it would have been nice to get a few more,” said Witner. “Getting the lead gave them the confidence to start. When you’re the away team you’re the first at bat. You always like to be the home team to get that last chance, just like they just did and walked it off.

“I’m proud of them. They just didn’t hand it to them like they did yesterday. They came back with a better mindset.”

Weatherly pitcher Clabia kept Carbon scoreless through the first two innings, but McKenna Gildner came through in the third to flip the lead. Mia Carroll opened the frame with a single, and after two outs, Gildner ripped a line drive to left-center that rolled to the fence and she was able to circle the bases for a homer and a 2-1 advantage.

“They know that my goal is to be aggressive on the basepaths,” said Conway, who didn’t hesitate waving in Gildner. “I trust these girls and their speed. We train a lot for that during the season ... That hit was a bomb, right off the bat.”

Carbon added another run in the fourth when Alexa Becker singled and eventually scored on an error.

The loss ended Weatherly’s season while Carbon will advance to sectionals, which begin Tuesday in Minersville.

STRONG PITCHING ... Both pitchers turned in solid efforts. The Wreckers’ Clabia struck out seven and only gave up two earned runs. Confer gave up just three hits and fanned eight. “The Weatherly pitcher, that kid has a heart of gold,” said Conway. “I can’t say enough positive things about the work she puts in. My pitcher, Carlee, she is just outstanding and she makes our team stronger with her excellent communication.”

Weatherly 100 002 - 3 3 2

Carbon 002 101 - 4 5 0

Clabia and Durham; Confer and Fiouris. W - Confer. L - Clabia. HR: Carbon - Gildner (3rd, one on).