Softball Notebook

by Bill Rudick

brudick55@gmail.com

About a quarter of the way through the softball season, about the only things that can be said for sure is that anyone can be beaten and there is no prohibitive favorite.
Oh, yeah, and that everyone is pretty darned good.
Well, maybe Great Valley can argue the idea that everyone can be beaten—they are the lone undefeated team in Chester County. But even they have had their scares, edging both Downingtown East and Unionville by single runs.
“We’ve been pretty lucky, to be honest,” said Patriots coach Jeff Celucci. “We‘ve gotten some breaks, and some timely hits, and Morgan (Orlowski) has pitched well. But in this league, every game is a battle. Every team, from Oxford and Unionville to the Downingtowns, on any given day can win. And we haven’t even gotten to the part of the schedule where we see Henderson and Avon Grove and the other division yet. We have a big one (Wednesday) against Rustin, who are always dangerous with the way they hit. We just have to hope we keep coming out on the right side of things as the season wears on.”
Last year’s deep run to states didn’t hurt, either.
“For the girls that came back from last year, the experience is immeasurable,” said Celluci. “They’ve been in the tight situations, and they’ve learned what it takes to come out of it. Last year was a big stepping stone for the program
Still, the Patriots hold a solid lead in the American, sitting at 7-0 while Unionville and Rustin trail at just 3-2
“We are a strong hitting team, with some very experienced players that do all the little things well, like run the bases,” said Unionville coach Greg Allen. “A lot of our success has been the way our strong group of seniors has led. Our losses were both one run, to two of the best teams in the league, Great Valley and Avon Grove, so we know we are right there. Just need to take that next step.”
Over on the other side, it is a logjam at the top, with Avon Grove, Downingtown East, Henderson and Coatesville all at 5-1. Avon Grove has won five straight since dropping the opener against Henderson.
“The league just seems to be getting stronger each year,” said Avon Grove coach Mike Diluzio. “Every team is well coached, and plays hard. There are a lot of good pitchers around the league, and a ton of girls that can hit the ball. Iron sharpens iron. With the point system now in place, it’s only going to help get more of our teams in the post season, and we’ll be battle tested when we get there because every game has been a battle.”
Outside the Ches-Mont, Villa Maria, a class AAA school in softball, loaded up their schedule with some of the best Class AAAA schools in District 1, seeking that same edge gained by battling with top notch competition.
“We made a conscious effort to beef up our schedule to help prepare for the post season this year,” said Hurricanes’ coach Nicole Hartshorn. “We want to see how much we can challenge the girls, and to see where our strengths and weaknesses are.”
Though Villa took losses to perennial District contenders Neshaminy and Hatboro Horsham, they also have a win over Henderson, a 1-0 pitchers’ duel.
“Seeing (pitcher Maddie) Abbot’s composure in the tight games has been remarkable,” said Hartshorn. “In the two losses, they got to her early, but she just regrouped and settled in in both games, even getting the last six outs—out of nine at bats—by strikeout.”
The Hurricanes are unbeaten in the AACA, sitting at 4-0, and are already seeing some stand-out performers, from both proven vets and newcomers. Catcher Sarahrose Jonik is getting things done both behind the plate and with the bat, and recently signed on to play collegiately at Gettysbug.
“Sarahrose might be the best catcher I’ve seen,” said Hatshorn. “And we’ve had some good ones right here the past couple years.”
Outfielder Lisa Becker sports the highest on base percentage, and Abbot is proving it was a good decision to move her from ninth all the way up to fifth in the batting order, delivering key hits in several games.
And freshman Alyssa Viccardo, the heir apparent to Abbot in the circle, is making her contribution with stellar defensive play at shortstop.
“We’re getting her work pitching every day in practice, so she’ll be ready when the time comes,” said Hartshorn. “Right now she has velocity, clocking in around 62-63 MPH, but we’re working on some other pitches and other things, as well. In the meantime, she has no complaints with playing short, as long as she’s able to help the team.”
Rankings
1. Great Valley
2. Avon Grove
3. Villa Maria
4. Coatesville
5. Henderson
6. Downingtown East
7. Rustin