Abington Heights Soars to Class 5A Softball Final with Victory Over Upper Dublin

ALLENTOWN — After falling short in the PIAA softball semifinals on three previous occasions, Abington Heights finally broke the barrier. The Lady Comets secured their spot in the Class 5A championship, defeating Upper Dublin 7-0 on Monday afternoon at Patriots Park. A pivotal five-run second inning and standout pitching from Adrianna Condrad propelled the team to this historic win.

Condrad, a junior committed to Syracuse, delivered an impressive performance, throwing a three-hit shutout and striking out 14 batters while navigating through two bases-loaded situations. Avary Brister contributed with two hits, marking the 100th of her career, while Eva Kane made her mark with an inside-the-park grand slam during the decisive inning. With this victory, Abington Heights improved to 24-1, extending their winning streak to 19 games. They will face either District 7 champion Shaler or the No. 4 seed Thomas Jefferson in the state final on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Penn State University’s Nittany Lion Softball Park.

“We just made school history,” Kane expressed. “We’ve worked so hard all year. Every practice, every game, we were prepared and ready. We’re so excited to go.” The Lady Comets had previously faced disappointment at Patriots Park, losing semifinal games in 2007, 2016, and again in 2023, but this time, they transformed their fate.

Abington Heights set the tone in the second inning, sending 10 batters to the plate against Upper Dublin's Kyla Garrison, a Howard University commit. The scoring began with Isabella DeRiggi's leadoff walk, followed by strategic plays that led to Kane’s grand slam, which significantly boosted the team's morale. “There were two outs, bases loaded, so I knew I had to do something,” Kane recalled. “I was just running as hard as I could to get around the bases.”

Condrad’s pitching was key throughout the contest. After facing a potential rally from Upper Dublin in the third inning, she tightened her grip on the game, demonstrating her ability to thrive under pressure. “I knew my team was behind me the whole time,” Condrad said. “I just knew I had to get the outs and help my team in any way I could.” Her coach, John Kelly, emphasized her resilience, noting that she consistently performs at her best in high-pressure situations.

The Lady Comets continued to add to their lead with two more runs in the fourth inning, ultimately sealing the game with Condrad’s stellar pitching. “It feels awesome, I’m so happy for them,” Kelly remarked. “They’ve brought me along for the ride.” With the state championship now within reach, Abington Heights prepares for an exciting showdown.