Catholic League opens Carpenter Cup with perfect day; Delco debuts Tuesday

The Philadelphia Catholic League squad received a gift to open the first day of the Carpenter Cup Classic and concluded with a well-deserved win.

PCL was perfect Monday at FDR Park in South Philadelphia, winning all three games to advance to Wednesday’s winners bracket. After gaining a bye to the second game, thanks to Mercer County forfeiting the tournament, the Catholic League defeated Burlington County, 5-1, and Lehigh Valley, 7-6.

Little Flower’s Alex Dolan hit a walkoff, two-run double in the bottom of the seventh against Lehigh. Cardinal O’Hara’s Annemarie Banes had a single and two runs scored in the win, while Archbishop Carroll’s Claire Boylan chipped in with a single and two RBIs.

Earlier in the day, Hallahan pitcher and Sharon Hill resident Maddy McBride tossed four strong innings with six strikeouts to help the Catholics to victory over Burlington. She allowed just one earned run on four hits.

Bonner & Prendergast’s Molly McNulty relieved McBride with three scoreless innings. McNulty also had a single and a run scored.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Delaware County begins its trek to a Carpenter Cup title at 9 a.m. when it takes on Suburban One/Bicentennial. Win or lose, Delco will play its second game at 1 p.m.

The Delco roster includes Chichester’s Hayley Coale; Garnet Valley’s Hope DiMario; Haverford’s Madison Lane and Lindsay Moran; Interboro’s Bridget Bailey and Amber Seamen; Marple Newtown’s Nicole Atkins and Paige Benasutti; Penncrest’s Olivia Rigby; Ridley’s Leigh Ann Jenkins; Springfield’s Nikki DePietro; Sun Valley’s Mackenzie Lewis and Bridget Thomas; and Upper Darby’s Sam Witmer. The team is coached by Sun Valley’s Pat Rafferty, Interboro’s Chuck Pedrick and Springfield’s Todd Odgers.