Conestoga clinches share of Central League title with win over Radnor

BERWYN— With the outgoing seniors honored at their final regular season home game, Conestoga had extra reason to celebrate. Squared off against visiting Radnor (5-13), the Pioneers batted around in the first, then cruised to a 9-0 shutout, clinching a share of the Central League crown in the process.

Conestoga (17-2) will be co-champions with Haverford, against whom they split the season series. It is the first time in 12 years that the Pioneers last won a Central League crown of any type.

“We’ve been close in recent years, but always came up a hair short,” said Conestoga coach Pete Ricci. “When we got close this year, we all just said that we had to close things out strong, All year long, we’ve found ways to win. Lauren (Lofland) has pitched better and better every game it seems, and we’re really starting to hit, up and down the line-up.”

The Pioneers pushed five runs across in the first. Libby Winters got things going with a lead-off walk, then moved over to third when Claire Overton stroked a single to right. Olivia Cepielik was next, and brought both runners home with a triple to the gap in right center. Jenny Noll came next, and delivered an RBI double.

“It was just a matter of doing what was best for the team,” said Noll, whose sister Allison pinch hit for her later in the game and delivered an RBI double of her own. “In my case, it was to get a line-drive to the outfield. But our whole team plays that way. We are all willing to play any role were asked.”

Conestoga wasn’t down yet, however. After Noll moved over to third on a ground out, Kate Clement dropped down a safety squeeze, beating it out for a base hit, with Noll coming home on the throw to first. Faith Walker followed Clement, and knocked her in with an RBI double to left.

With a huge lead, Lofland went to work. She picked up the pitching win going seven strong for the three-hit shutout. Lofland struck out seven, and did not walk a batter.

“It feels really great to win a share of the Central League,” said Lofland. “It’s something we’ve all thought about since we were freshmen. We all have each other’s backs this season.”

The Pioneers added some insurance runs, plating a run in the third on Walker’s second double of the day, and an RBI groundout from Lofland, then another three in the sixth on walks to Winters and Overton, a double from Allison Noll and a sac fly from pinch hitter Ari Lucci.

Conestoga ends its regular season with a record of 17-2. Barring any major shifts in the power rankings prior to Thursday’s seeding meeting, the Pioneers will hold down the No. 6 seed. After a first-round bye, the Pioneers would likely face the winner of No. 11 Coatesville vs No. 22 Perk Valley.

“We have a better idea of the kind of team we are, and what the competition will be like after playing in districts last year,” said Noll. “We’re playing really well as a team, and Lauren has been pitching great. We should be able to get ourselves better physically and mentally prepared this year. We’re all looking forward to see how far we can go.”