Chester County eliminated from Carpenter Cup after splitting two

PHILADELPHIA >>  Chester County, which earned a split Monday in the Carpenter Cup Classic, once again broke even in the tournament Wednesday, defeating Delaware County 8-2, then falling to Lehigh Valley 8-3 to end its tourney run with two wins and two losses.

Wednesday’s opener for Chesco, the 8-2 win against Delco, was a pitching showcase by Brianna White (Coatesvile) and Abby Wild (Perkiomen Valley), who combined for 14 strikeouts.

“We have a good-hitting team, but we ran into some tough pitchers today,” said Delco coach Patrick Rafferty. “Chesco is a good, good team, and the fact that we struck out 14 times today shows how good their pitchers are.”

White struck out five hitters in the first three innings, allowing only one hit, as her team built a 4-0 lead.

Rafferty, who sees White during the high school season in Ches-Mont League play, said, “I can tell you, Brianna White is as good a pitcher as it gets.”

Chesco’s early offense was sparked by right fielder and leadoff hitter Gillian Barrie (Perkiomen Valley). In the top of the first inning, she was hit by a pitch, then White drew a one-out walk and catcher Brianna Smith (Owen J. Roberts) lined a single to load the bases. Center fielder Camryn Glenn (Owen J. Roberts) hit into a fielder’s choice to score Barrie.

In the top of the second, Barrie’s two-run triple to left center plated Marley Weston (Bishop Shanahan) and Carley Stoltzfus (Oxford), who had drawn walks. Faith Willenbrock (Downingtown East) hit a sacrifice fly to score Barrie and make it 4-0.

Barrie hit a two-out single in the top of the fourth, stole second, and scored on an outfield error to make it 5-0. She went 3-for-4 against Delco, reaching base four of the five times she came to the plate, and scored three runs.

“She’s been a great sparkplug for us,” said Chester County coach Paul Gustaitis.

In the top of the seventh, Chesco added three insurance runs, highlighted by an RBI triple by right fielder Emily Moll (Upper Perkiomen), an RBI double by Stoltzfus and some fine baserunning by Glenn, who stole second and scored on an errant throw.

Smith had three hits in the victory, and provided solid leadership behind the plate. For the day, she went 5-for-7 at the plate.

“Brianna Smith also handled our pitchers well,” added Gustaitis.

Smith said, “This tournament has been a lot of fun. I’ve made new friends here that I’ll have the rest of my career, and it’s great to come out out in front of the [college] coaches that are here today.”

On Monday morning, Chester County lost 4-3 to Burlington County, then edged Jersey Shore 6-5 late in the afternoon. After defeating Delco 8-2 Wednesday, Chester County immediately faced Lehigh Valley and lost, 8-3, ending its tournament run.

Chester County got off to a quick lead against Lehigh Valley. To start the first inning, Barrie and Willenbrook each got infield singles and scored on White’s double to give Chesco a 2-0 lead with no outs.

After Lehigh Valley clipped Chesco for three runs in the top of the second inning, Chester County tied the score in the bottom of the second on a single by Maggie McConney (Spring-Ford), a sacrifice bunt by Weston and an RBI single by Stoltzfus.

Lehigh Valley scored two runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to take an 8-3 lead. Chester County managed only three hits after the second inning — all singles — two by Smith and one by Willenbrook.

“Our team played hard, played as a team, and showcased themselves well,” Gustaitis said. “Lehigh Valley plays very good solid fundamental ball. They laid down a lot of bunts.”