Abington locks down first victory, tops rival Wissahickon
LOWER GWYNEDD >> Abington bats came swinging back to life and freshman right hander Danica Santiago unveiled a devastating drop ball.
It all added up to the Ghosts’ first win of the season, a 17-4 victory on a warm, breezy day at rival Wissahickon on Thursday.
Said center fielder Leanna Schenk, who belted a pair of doubles an an inside-the-park home run: “I’m very proud of this team and how far we’ve come.”
The Ghosts (1-7), who racked up 18 hits in the Suburban One League Liberty Division clash, are in action again Wednesday when they travel to Upper Moreland. Wissahickon is back on the diamond Friday, with a road game at crosstown rival Gwynedd Mercy Academy.
Abington scored in bunches Thursday, pushing ahead for good in the third and building a 10-4 lead by the fifth.
“We showed really good patience at the plate,” said coach Bob Baginski. “We’ve been working on that – softball I.Q. We’ve been working to do things together as a team and the team really delivered today across the board. And we needed a win badly. We had a rough start but we have a young group. And we have good seniors who help us.
“Leanna is an example – she’s a tremendous leader and had a great game today. I’m really thrilled with getting a win and now we have more work to do moving forward.”
Schenk broke out with a 4-for-5 performance, driving in runs in the fourth and fifth as Abington pulled away. The senior center fielder crossed the plate three times and had four RBI.
“I think this will turn the season around,” she said of the win.
Natalie Broskley, Hailey Hernandez and Liz Hippel also had big days at the plate for the Ghosts.
Meanwhile Emma Dutill, Emily Fox, Reagan Ensminger and Meredith Walsh all drove in runs for Wissahickon. The Trojans led 3-1 early but Santiago settled into a groove and never got out of it.
“She did a great job,” Baginski said. “She’s young and in her first year of varsity but she plays travel ball too and has good experience. She plays with a lot of poise. Her and Hailey Hernandez, our catcher, really did a great job together. Hailey really leads her in the right direction and I’m very proud of Danica and what she’s done for us. And the sky’s the limit for her moving forward.”
Said Santiago of starting as a freshman: “It’s definitely scary but knowing you have a good team behind you is definitely comforting.”
Abington 17, Wissahickon 4 (6)
Abington 103 247 – 17 18 0
Wissahickon 210 100 – 4 9 3
WP: Danica Santiago.
LP: Emma Dutill.
HR: A-Leanna Schenck. 2B: A-Schenck 2; W-Morgan Risnychok, Kaitlyn Scalley, Meredith Walsh.
Multiple hits: A-Natalie Broskley 3-for-5, 3R, RBI; Schenk 4-for-5, 4R, 4RBI; Hailey Hernandez 3-for-5, R, 2RBI; Liz Hippel 3-for-5, 3R; W-Emily Fox 2-for-3, RBI.
