Softball Lives to See Another Day in Districts

After a five-game dry spell in the runs department, the Spring-Ford softball team got it done when it mattered most on Tuesday in a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Central Bucks East. The girls had their backs against the wall after losing 8-0 against Central Bucks South on Friday. They entered the playback bracket and began the journey back to the top.

"These kids are better hitters than that and I'm glad they did it at the end of the game, because hopefully that carries over into the next game," said head coach Tim Hughes. "We didn't make any defensive blunders. The kids played hard. CB East is a very good team. They got their runs when they should have and we got ours when we should have. It was a good, clean game. I'm happy we came out."

Spring-Ford fell behind in the third inning. First baseman Sarah Decker opened the inning with a single and advanced to second on a fielder's choice play from third baseman Danielle Marzex. Second baseman Caroline Schoenewald got on base with a single, then the scores came in.

Centerfielder Allie Chase dropped a bunt on freshman pitcher Jenna Lee and senior catcher overthrew first base. That allowed Decker to score. Shortstop Jess Haag followed up with an RBI-single and catcher Julie Schoenewald grounded out, driving another run in before the side retired.

Spring-Ford held on through the next inning and brought in junior Haleigh Williams to pitch in the fifth. Williams normally starts for the Rams.

"Both pitchers bring different things to the table," said Hughes. "I thought that maybe would offset them and I think it did. They got a few runs there early and Jenna held them down. Haleigh came in and did her job. We fielded the ball, knocked the ball down and made the plays we were supposed to. That was all I could ask of them."

In the bottom half of the frame, the girls were finally able to get on the board.

Centerfielder Bri Kofer opened the inning with a single, followed by a Becca James bunt. Nadwodny sacrificed on a bunt to advance the runners. Jess Hamdon came in to run for James at second.

Gabbie Tareilla sent Kofer home on a single to right field. Tareilla attempted to steal second, but was called out. Her efforts allowed Hamdon to race home and score the second run of the inning.

"Up at that at-bat, I was really relaxed," Tareilla said. "I knew we needed a hit. I was really mad at the last at-bat. It was a foul and I didn't think she caught it. I knew how to make contact and I did. I wasn't happy with the hit, but it did its job."

In the bottom of the sixth, the Rams took the lead on a 2-RBI-single by Kofer. Kofer had a run, three hits and two RBIs in the game. Meanwhile, CB East could never recover. Williams pitched lights out in the final innings. She pitched three innings, allowing zero runs, two hits and a walk. She struck out two.

"I knew my job," Williams said. "My job was to throw strikes, to not let them get on base. I just did the best I could with my job. I left them hit it to the fielders, because I have faith they'll get to just about anything."

The girls will face Hatboro-Horsham, who blanked Methacton Tuesday, on Thursday at a location to be announced. The winner of that game gets the fifth spot in the state tournament. This is still considered a playback round.

The Rams faced Hatboro-Horsham last year in districts in the semifinals round. Spring-Ford was defeated 3-0 by the eventual state champions.

"They have a lot of talent," said Hughes. "We do too as long as we understand that. I think this was a nice little comeback win to give them an opportunity to believe in themselves. We hadn't had that. I keep telling them to keep on going. Hopefully this carries over to next game."

Box Score

Pitching
Win: Haleigh Williams - 3 IP, 0 R (0 ER), 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Jenna Lee - 4 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 3 H, 2 BB

Batting
Cassie Alexy - H
Liz Bauer - R
Deme Kanakis - R, BB
Marisha Bates - K
Bri Kofer - R, 3 H, 2 RBI
Becca James - H, K
Gabbie Tareilla - H, 2 RBI
Jess Hamdon - R