Downingtown West rides big 4th to win over Downingtown East

DOWNINGTOWN—For the Whippets, still very much in the hunt for a Ches-Mont National title, every game remaining is a big game. Wednesday, the Whippets played host to crosstown rival Downingtown East, a team enjoying a resurgent season and who will be joining West in the District 1, Class 6A playoffs in a couple weeks.

A big fourth inning for the Whippets (16-2) broke open a pitcher’s duel, and then West held on for a 5-0 shutout of the Cougars.

“Coming into today, we are looking at the next four games as playoff games,” said West coach Joey Germani. “If we want to reach or goal of winning a league title, we need to win all four, including a one-game playoff (against West Chester East) if it comes to that. This was a good team effort, and it is always nice to get a win over East, but now we just have to put it behind us and get ready for Shanahan Friday.”

In the early going, both West ace Natalie Beebe and her East counterpart, Avery Brynes, were on their games. Over the first three innings, just one batter reached base—West’s Nicole Lioumis, who worked a one out walk, and was then stranded at first when Byrnes struck out the next two batters.

“Avery pulled a quad muscle, and couldn’t even pitch two days ago,” said East coach Bill Williamson. “For her to get out there and pitch as well as she did, just tells you what kind of player she is.”

With the game still scoreless as the Whippets came to bat in the home half of the fourth, Cait Coker got things going for West with a line-drive up the middle. Noticing the Cougars were slow getting to the ball, Coker (2 for 3, 2B, 2R) took off for second, sliding in safely with a double.

With one out, Morgan DeFreitas beat out an infield single, with Coker moving up to third. DeFreitas moved up unchallenged on the first pitch to Beebe, making it first and second. The Whippets’ pitcher then helped her own cause, ripping a double to the gap in right center to knock in both runners. Beebe scored thanks to a couple of outfield errors by the Cougars.

“Hitting is contagious,” said Coker. “We just needed that one hit to break through, and it just happened to be me that did it today. Out batting lineup is so strong that on any given day it could be any of us that comes through.”

West tacked on another in the fifth, with Coker reaching on a single, stealing second, and moving over to third on a groundout. DeFreitas then picked up the RBI, scorching a liner to center for the sacrifice.

Beebe picked up the win with a one-hitter, allowing just s fourth inning single by Grace McKelvey, and faced just one over the minimum. She struck out eight, including six of the last nine hitters she faced.

“Getting that lead just made me feel a bit more security and relaxed,” said Beebe. “The umpire was giving me what I was throwing and I just went with it. I was hitting my spots and working my spins things worked.”

Taking the loss, Byrnes pitched a solid game. She allowed 5 runs—three earned—on six hits, striking out five, and walking just one.

“Right now we’ve got 12 wins, which is s major improvement over the past couple years,” said Williamson. “And we’ve still got a shot to be hosting a district playoff game. I’m very proud of the way this team has played. Wipe out that one inning, and we’re right there with one of the top teams in the district today.”