Check out the recaps for SOL softball teams in playback games in the District 1 6A Tournament on Thursday.
District 1 6A third place
#6 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 2, #12 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0
Rachael Schumann tossed another gem in the circle for the Cougars, allowing just two hits while striking out 14 and walking none in Thursday’s third place game.
After the Colonials went down in order in the first three innings, PW’s Marissa Perez led off the fourth inning with a single. Schumann retired the next three batters she faced, and Perez never advanced beyond first base.
The Cougars put a pair of runs on the board in the top of the fourth, and that would be enough to win it.
PW threatened in the top of the seventh. Molly Moore was safe on an error to lead off the inning, and one out later Kalina Childers doubled to center field. Schumann struck out the next batter she faced, and the Cougars escaped unscathed, holding on for the win.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (17-8, 12-4 SOL) will face the District XII champion in Monday’s opening round of the PIAA 6A Tournament.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 000 0 0-3-0
Downingtown East 000 200 x 2-5-1
District 1 6A fifth place
#13 PENNRIDGE 9, #3 GARNET VALLEY 8
The Rams opened up a 9-4 lead in the top of the fourth and then held off a Garnet Valley comeback rally in Thursday’s seeding game.
“Garnet Valley capitalized on our walks and errors, and they made all of their defensive plays,” coach Wendy Iadonisi said. “We had some big hits including two home runs, which kept us in the game.
“Today’s outcome didn’t necessarily matter except for seeding. Of course, it’s always nice to win, but we are now focusing on Monday’s first round of States.”
One of the Rams’ home runs came in a five-run fourth inning – a grand slam by Averi Dockery. The sophomore’s blast came after an intentional walk to teammate Reagan Bauman. Grace Helbling also had a sacrifice fly in the inning.
Earlier in the game, Bauman singled to drive in a pair in the top of the first inning. Setting the stage for Bauman’s big hit were Olivia Crognale with a single and Helbling with a double.
Garnet Valley evened the score in the bottom of the first and went on top 3-2 with a run in the second only to see the Rams go on top 4-3 when – after Helbling’s second double of the game – Bauman lofted a two-run home run to center field. That set the stage for the Rams’ five-run fourth.
“They played a much better game than us but I think we were just fortunate to have the grand slam by Averi and home run by Reagan to give us six of our nine runs,” Iadonisi said.
Helbling threw the first three innings, and sophomore Destiny Novashinski closed out the game, notching the win in her varsity debut.
“We brought Destiny in to rest Grace and Averi, and I’m assuming Garnet Valley was doing the same because we didn’t face their starter,” Iadonisi said. “It was Destiny’s first time pitching on the varsity level. Talk about pressure.
“In the seventh, we were holding a one-run lead with the top of their order coming up. Destiny had two runners in scoring position with only one out and got out of the inning without giving up a run. We were so happy for her and proud of how she handled the pressure.”
Novashinski allowed six hits and three earned runs in four innings in the circle.
At the plate, the Rams were led by the two-hit efforts of Helbling (2-for-4, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1R), Bauman (2-for-3, HR, 4 RBIs, 2R) and Ashleigh Kenworthy (2-for-4, 2B).
Pennridge (17-8, 10-6 SOL) will face District 11 champion Nazareth in Monday’s opening round of the PIAA 6A Tournament.
Pennridge 202 500 0 9-9-5
Garnet Valley 211 310 0 8-10-0
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