Phantoms' Wieland Shines at Carpenter Cup Classic

PHILADELPHIA-With all of the year-round club softball being played, it can get difficult at times to distinguish one tournament from the next.

One tournament that stands alone is the Carpenter Cup, sponsored and run by the Philadelphia Phillies, with the opening days held in FDR park and the final at Ashburn Park. 

The purpose of the Softball Carpenter Cup since it inception in 2005 has been to give the best high school players in the tri-state area the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of college scouts.

The hope is that this tournament, like the baseball Carpenter Cup Classic, will be a catalyst for many players to receive scholarships or admission to some of the country's finest universities.

Phoenixville’s Courtney Wieland has continued what has been a whirlwind of a spring including being crowned Dogwood Festival Queen, joining teammates Perk Valley junior Brittany Shoemaker and Pope John Paul II catcher Patsy Murphy, fresh off of the Golden Panthers' first district title to compete for the most elite trophy in  the area.

 “This is awesome just being here,” said Pottsgrove junior Taylor Robinson. “The Carpenter Cup is such a big deal. We play in tournaments all the time in travel ball [for the Avalanche], but nothing compares to this. It was been amazing getting to know girls who usually we are trying to beat.”

Robinson, who was 2-for-2 with 2 runs scored and a double, helped propel the Chester County squad to a 9-3 win over the 2009 champion Delaware South all-stars to advance into the winners bracket semifinal for group A, which included teams from Tri-Cape (NJ), Philadelphia Catholic League, Delaware North (DE), Suburban One American/Continental, Olympic/Colonial (NJ) and Jersey Shore (NJ).

“It’s definitely different playing with girls from all of these teams,” said Wieland, who went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. “I am hoping to do whatever I can to help us win. I may get to pitch, and may not. I know I can offer a lot of qualities that schools are looking for in the field and with the bat. I felt really good in my first at bat.”

“This is freaking unbeleivable,” said Jess Kurtz, who ran rampant on the bases, reaching twice on fielder’s choices and a walk. “I pretty much have a big mouth so I love having the job of being the vocal leader of the team. It’s pretty cool playing outfield with Taylor and Shoeey [Perk Valley junior Brittany Shoemaker] who I play with on my high school team and travel ball. It’s great having so much speed out here.”

It was Wieland stretching to make play after play at first base and Shoemaker’s range in the outfield that helped preserve the win for the Chester County team advancing them in the winner’s bracket.

“Of course as we were getting ready, I was a little nervous,” said Murphy. “It has been great to get to catch all of these pitchers. This is such a great opportunity. We have to relax and be ready to play to our potential. With the tryouts and practices, we have all worked hard to get ready, but once we take the field it ‘s time to show what we can do as individuals and a team.”

Owen J. Roberts' junior Madison Galdi didn’t have the luxury of working through any nerves she may have been experiencing as the Wildcats' hurler was called on to take the hill in the opening game.

“It was such an honor to get the start,” said Galdi. “As a pitcher it is so great to have such an amazing defense behind you. A couple of balls were hit and I was like, oh crap, then turned around and saw them being caught. I am glad to be here representing my team, but also want to show that I have the good work ethic and always go 100 percent."

The Chester County squad battled TriCape in the second round but dropped a tough 5-4 contest, which puts the locals in the 9 a.m. slot on Wednesday morning in the shadows of Citizens Bank Park, where they will square off against Philadelphia Catholic League, who dropped their second round game to Suburban One League A&C 5-0, in a tilt where the loser goes home and the winner will advance to the quarterfinals in the 16-team double-elimination tournament.

“I think we have all learned a lot from each other so far,” said Shoemaker. “It took a little while to get over the whole them versus us thing but we have really come together. We have some very tough games coming up and will have to stay focused on what we have to do, no matter how many coaches are here. We have to go all out, every game.”