Ebaugh tosses two-hit shutout as Kennett tops Villa Maria
MALVERN—When two good pitchers are dueling, oftentimes winning comes down to being able to capitalize on any opportunity. Kennett’s Genevieve Ebaugh and Villa’s Alyssa Viscardo we both throwing well, but the Blue Demons (13-6) turned four Hurricane errors into four runs as Kennett topped Villa (12-4) by a score of 4-0 in the regular season finale for both teams.
“We did what we needed to do to win,” said Kennett coach Lauren Gottstein. “We took advantage of a few errors, got our bunts down and got the win.”
Scoreless to start the third, Brooke Underwood led off with a walk. Amelia Ehrgood followed for Kennett, and dropped down a bunt. The throw went down the line in right field, allowing Underwood to come all the way around for the first run of the game, while Ehrgood pulled up at third.
Amber Kahrs came to the plate with one out, and grounded to short. Kahrs reached base on the fielder’s choice on the unsuccessful attempt to get Ehrgood at home, moving up to second on a wild pitch. Ebaugh was next, delivering a single to left to score Kahrs.
Kennett tacked on another in the top half of the seventh on singles from Barish and and Ebaugh, along with another Villa error.
Ebaugh went the distance for two-hit shutout, going seven strong. Ebaugh struck out 12, and walked just two.
“I was really zoned in today, and did my best to take my time between pitches,” said Ebaugh. “When I take my time, I stay better focused on each pitch, and I throw more strikes and hit my spots better. My curve was working well today, too.”
It wasn’t a league game, nor will it have much bearing on the playoffs for either team. If the power rankings hold through Thursday’s seeding meeting, Kennett will be the No. 20 seed in Class 6A, and would play No. 13 Hatboro-Horsham
“This was a big game for us, even if it didn’t really mean a lot,” said Ebaugh. “We know Villa battled tough with Shanahan, so to know we can play with teams like that heading into districts is going to give us confidence.”
Ebaugh was as good with a bat in her hand as she was in the circle, finishing with three of Kennett’s five hits, including a triple in a 3 for 4 outing.
“We are really lucky to have a complete player like that,” said Gottstein. “We don’t even have to worry about her on the basepaths. She knows the game really well, and the leadership she provides as just a freshman is amazing.”
Viscardo takes the hard-luck loss, allowing four runs—two earned—on four hits in five innings of work. Viscardo struck out ten, and walked just one. When she whiffed Ebaugh in the fifth, it was the 500 strikeout of her career.
“I was surprised to get to 500 this season,” said Viscardo. “Getting 100 strikeouts (since reaching four hundred earlier this season) in eight games wasn’t going to be easy. But thanks to my coaches an Tee (Keithly) behind the plate, we were able to get it done.”
Despite the loss, the Hurricanes will enter the post season as the number three seed in Class 5A, behind No. 1 West Chester East and No. 2 Bishop Shanahan. As of right now, they will host No. 14 Wissahickon.
“We tried to schedule as many Class 6A teams as we could in our non-league schedule,” said Villa coach Nikki Hartshorn. “We still stand strong at No. 3, and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can do. That is one thing I am proud of with this team is that they won’t dwell on this. They always come back strong even after taking a hit like this one today.”
