North Penn defeated third-seeded Avon Grove 4-1 in Saturday’s District 1 6A quarterfinal to earn a spot in Tuesday’s district semifinal and also a berth in the state tournament.
#11 NORTH PENN 4, #3 AVON GROVE 1
Avon Grove and ace pitcher Elle Burns boasted an impressive resume. The third-seeded Red Devils had just three losses, and Burns boasted an ERA of 0.82 with 154 strikeouts in 119.2 innings.
The Red Devils figured to give the Knights their toughest challenge, and they did, but the Knights were ready.
“I think we knew we just had to come out strong, especially our offense,” Cailin Halfpenny said. “We needed to just pull everything together and have it all come together today. It was a really good team win. We were hitting up and down the lineup.
“We did struggle in the beginning of the season a little bit, but right now I think it’s all just coming together. Our hitting has been contagious, and I think everyone’s just ready to do it now that it’s playoffs.”
The Knights were not only ready they had a pitcher of their own who was at the top of her game. Felicia Connolly – on the heels of back-to-back shutouts in the Knights’ two district wins – struck out eight of the first nine batters she faced with the Red Devils’ lone contact the first time through the batting order their third batter hitting a grounder back to Connolly for an easy putout.
“Starting a game like that gave us the momentum to start off offensively,” said Connolly, who allowed just three hits and fanned 15. “We knew that team wasn’t going to give up many runs, so we really wanted to focus on keeping our defense very steady throughout the whole game, and I think we accomplished that.
“I think the entire team was very locked in for today’s game. Obviously, they’re ranked number three in the district, and they’ve had so many wins against so many great teams this year. We were as pumped up for it as much as we could have been, and we wanted to get the win. We got states through it, so it’s a good highlight game for us this year.”
The Knights scored a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning, but the Red Devils cut that lead in half in the bottom of the inning.
Alana Drummond continues to make major contributions at the plate and on the field at shortstop, and the sophomore hit a solo shot to left field to lead off the sixth inning, upping the Knights lead to 3-1.
“Oh my gosh, that was huge for our team,” Connolly said. “And it’s huge for her. She came up about mid-season, and she’s really been a key player for us in the playoffs.”
Gabby Battavio’s RBI single accounted for North Penn’s final run.
With the win, the defending state champions not only earned a spot in Tuesday’s district semifinal, they also ensured themselves a berth in the state tournament.
“This was one of our main goals throughout most of the season, and it was something that we really wanted to work toward,” Connolly said. “As we’ve gone through the season and just continued getting stronger together – getting into states has just been a really big relief for us. It’s a really fun thing to be a part of it, and we’re looking forward to it.”
“I’m so excited,” Halfpenny said. “I’m just so glad that everything came together. It just feels really good to be able to move on as a team. It shows how hard we’ve worked.”
Halfpenny drove in the game’s second run in the fourth inning that stood as the game-winner and also had a pair of defensive gems in center field.
“Our defense – with how good Felicia has been – we just know we have to have her back, no matter what, and go all-out on every play,” Halfpenny said. “I know that I’m going to do whatever I can to help our team and do whatever I can to make the play on defense.”
The contributions of the Knights’ defense – which included catcher Teaghann Bowman throwing out a runner trying to steal second in the seventh inning – was not lost on Connolly.
“It’s huge,” the Knights’ junior pitcher said. “That throw out by Teghann – it really put just all the momentum in the seventh inning back onto our team.
“A catch like that from Cailin was huge. It was a really good play. She went all-out for it, and it’s hustle like that that has gotten us to this point in the season. I think that’s how it’s gotten us to states – just the effort that we’ve continued to put into each game.”
Halfpenny and Gabriella Brigidi both had two hits to lead the Knights.
By the numbers: North Penn: Felicia Connolly (W) (7.0 IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 15 K) (2-for-4, 2B)
Cailin Halfpenny (2-for-4, 1RBI), Gabriella Brigidi (2-for-3), Alana Drummond (1-for-2, HR, 1RBI, 1R), Alana Battavio (2B, 1 RBI)
Key inning: Top of fourth: With one out, Gabby Battavio was hit by a pitch and scored when Alana Battavio lined a double to left field. Alana Drummond was hit by a pitch, and Halfpenny’s single plated Battavio for a 2-0 Knights’ lead.
North Penn coach Rick Torresani: “It was a good game. We played playoff type softball today. We got good pitching, played really good defense and had timely hits, and that’s what it takes.”
–Connolly in command: “She ended up with 15 strikeouts. She’s pitching really well. It’s about her strength and the ability to spin the ball like she can, and you need strength to do that. She’s been doing that really well. She’s hitting her spots. She had two doubles, and one went off the top of the fence.”
–Props: “Alana Drummond hit a home run that was a shot. Teghann (Bowman), our catcher, threw out a girl at second when she was trying to steal. It was just a great throw.
Cailin Halfpenny had two hits, and she made a tremendous catch in center – two of them actually. One was over her shoulder going back, and the other one she had to come flying in and made a really unbelievable catch in center.”
North Penn’s Felicia Connolly on the Knights peaking at the right time: “Our team chemistry is pretty much solidified, we’re bearing down on offense – I think we’re getting more offensive power, and our defense has been completely solidified.
“We’ve gone through the season and gotten more reps, gotten more practice in at our individual positions, and I think we’ve just gotten stronger at doing our jobs and filling our roles.”
Up next: In a rematch of last year’s state title game, North Penn (13-7, 8-1 SOL) will travel to #2 Council Rock South for Tuesday’s district semifinal.
North Penn 000 201 1 4-12-0
Avon Grove 000 100 0 1-3-0
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