Quick start propels Downingtown West past Unionville

DOWNINGTOWN >> Downingtown West exploded for 12 runs in the first three innings and pitcher Addy Carter tossed a one-hit shutout as host Downingtown West rolled past Unionville 12-0 in five innings Wednesday afternoon in a Ches-Mont League softball contest.

“Addy has been spinning it really well,” said West coach Joey Germani. “She’s got a ton of confidence. She’s also got a great defense behind her, so she isn’t afraid to let it be put in play because she knows they are going to make the plays behind her.”
After Carter struck out the side in order in the top of the first, the West (8-1 Ches-Mont, 10-1 overall) bats went to work. Darby Weller set the tone for the inning with a lead-off double and moved up to third on a fielder’s choice to Emma Ahlborn. Mavica Mendez followed with a bunt single. Jordan Toth brought Weller home with a fielder’s choice. Taylor Hendricks then cleared the bases, ripping a high fastball over the left-field fence for a three-run home run.

“The pitch was really high,” said Hendricks. “It was probably up at my eyes, but I guess I got enough of it that it went out. This whole team is good at getting off to a fast start, and it’s always good to play with a lead.”
It was a new spot in the order for Hendricks, but she did what the Whippets knew she can do.
“Ironically, that was the first time this season Taylor wasn’t hitting clean-up for us,” said Germani. “We moved her down to the sixth spot because we got Mavica back fully, and then she hit a three-run homer, too.”

Weller (3-4, 2B, 2R, RBI) led an offense that featured four hitters with multi-hit games, along with Mendez (2-3, HR, 3RBI, 2R), Hendricks (2-2, HR, 2R, 3RBI) and Kenzie Anderson (2-2, 2R).
The Whippets got a hit or a run out of all but one spot in the order, pounding out 12 on the day.

“We hit one through nine today,” said Germani. “It’s nice to see, We’re coming along nicely.”
Carter was lights out in the circle, striking out six of the first seven hitters she faced. She picked up the win with five strong innings. Carter did not allow a run, and carried a no-hitter before  Addison Smith broke it up with a double to the fence in left with two outs in the fourth.

“I just have to put myself in the right mindset, and I think I found that today,” said Carter. “It’s great to know that this team will always have my back, both with offense and defense. I think we’re in a really good place right now. We just have to keep focusing on one game at a time.”
Unionville (6-4, 6-2) is still in the top eight in District 1 Class 5A rankings and very much in the hunt for the National Division crown.
“It was a rough day,” said coach Leah Tymeson. “But we’re not going anywhere. We’re going to shake this off and get back to playing the way we know we are capable.”