May 30, 2025
RALPH WILSON/For The Express Bucktail’s Carrie Ditty (5) and Mattie Mason high-five during the District 4 Class A softball championship game against Northeast Bradford at Elm Park on Tuesday.
On the second-to-last Monday of March, Carrie Ditty had a lot on her mind apart from the usual goings of a school day deep within her freshman year. That Monday marked the official Day One of Bucktail softball’s 2025 season and to put it bluntly, she was scared to death.
Not only was Ditty mentally preparing to make the first start of her high school career, but she would also be taking on softball’s most scrutinized position at pitcher. And with the team’s recent success from the mound, a large factor in it heading into the season as two-time defending district champs, there were plenty of reasons to be nervous.
But that would be the worst the nerves ever got throughout the season, even as the Bucks entered the playoffs and eventually made it back to the District 4 Class A title game. With every game, Ditty has become more relaxed and assured, and that confidence has begun translating onto the field.
“I remember the first game of the year, I wanted to cry before even walking out of school. But now it’s definitely gotten easier,” said Ditty following the district finals. “Obviously, there’s still pressure, like with this (game), but I think I handle it a lot better now.”
While there were other ways the Bucktail coaching staff could’ve filled the void left by standout Makenzie Wagner, with Makenna Stone pitching well in relief as a sophomore and Eva Sockman having high school experience at the mound, they were impressed enough by what’d they’d seen from the freshman to give her the Day One nod.
RALPH WILSONFor The Express Bucktail’s Carrie Ditty throws during the District 4 Class A softball championship game against Northeast Bradford at Elm Park on Tuesday.
On top of the tremendous growth Ditty had displayed throughout her eighth-grade year, she’d quickly prove to be a natural competitor. Head coach Mike Poorman admired her desire to improve and was confident that passion would translate.
“Just her drive to want to get better,” said Poorman on Ditty following the team’s first win of the season against Sugar Valley. “She works extremely hard at her craft and breaks down her own game. She likes to watch the games on The Record Online and see what she can improve on.”
There were growing pains as expected, with the Buck struggling with walks early as the team fell to 3-5 amidst a tough opening stretch. But with advice and continued support from her coaches and teammates, she began hitting her stride as May approached.
There were plenty of highlights throughout the team’s last eight games of the regular season, a period which saw Ditty strike out a combined 54 batters to just 19 walks. She’d post a career-high 16 punch out against eventual No. 2 seed Sullivan, shutouts against Lewisburg and Millville to help the Bucks clinch their playoff spot and 18 Ks in back-to-back games against Sugar Valley and Oswayo Valley.
But the biggest sign of her growth came in two rematches against Montgomery, one in the regular season and another in the District 4 Class A semifinals.
On the first of April, Ditty struggled against the Red Raiders, lasting just three innings while allowing nine runs and six walks. But come May, it was a completely different story.
Though the Bucks fell to Montgomery for a second straight time in the first rematch, it came by a score of 3-2 in a much closer pitcher’s duel, one which saw Ditty post a 1.17 ERA, strike out four and allow just one walk and five hits through six innings. Then, in the semifinals, it all came together.
There, she struck out six, scattered seven hits and was clutch on numerous occasions, getting out of a bases-loaded scenario in the first and consistently stranding runners in scoring position from there. Ditty played a large role in that eventual 4-2 win, one which propelled the team to its third straight district final and PIAA appearance.
“You always give your team a chance to win if you’re throwing strikes and letting your defense work, and she’s done a great job of that,” said Poorman when discussing Ditty’s growth following the district final. “I think that’s the reason why we’ve won eight of our last 11 games. We’ve lost some tight ones and won some really tight ones lately.”
When asked about that late surge, Ditty credited her teammates and coaches for giving her advice that allowed her to figure out where she could improve. From her senior catcher Matti Mason to a large cast of talented juniors, veteran leadership has played a big role in her and the other underclassmen finding success.
“They’re like coaches to us, someone to look up to. Hearing their thoughts and listening to them has really helped,” said Ditty on her more experienced teammates. “Coach Poorman and his inspirational walks have helped me a lot this year too, especially with it being my freshman year.”
While there are still improvements to be made, the progress she’s displayed has been exciting for Bucktail’s coaches and players. She heads into June with an ERA well under 4.00, a 10-8 record, 121 strikeouts and a strikeout-to-walk ratio that’s a strikeout shy of 2.0.
“She is doing awesome,” said Bucktail catcher Matti Mason on Ditty. “I’ve caught a lot of pitches between travel ball, Mike’s daughter (Emma Poorman) and Makenzie (Wagner), and I think Carrie’s following right in their footsteps and gonna do just as well.”
On top of looking to finish her freshman campaign strong, she looks forward to surpassing 200 career strikeouts and hopes to help the Bucks avenge Tuesday’s district final loss come next season.
Above all else, she’s excited to continue improving.
CRESSON – Primed and ready to go, Bellefonte’s softball players joined their baseball brethren as they also …
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