Perk Valley’s offense stays hot in win over Norristown

WEST NORRITON >> Four days off wasn’t enough to cool down Perk Valley’s offense.

After scoring 12 runs against Harriton and 12 runs against Pope John Paul II on back-to-back days last week, the Vikings returned to action Monday afternoon and didn’t miss a beat.

Perk Valley tallied 14 hits, worked seven walks and capitalized on some defensive mistakes by a short-handed Norristown team in a 21-0 three-inning Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division win at Norristown Area High School.

“We’re really consistent,” PV’s Maci Strechay said. “When we get on pitchers, we tend to stay on them. I think that really helps because we’re getting hits in a row. We’re not leaving a lot of people on, we’re bringing everyone in.

“We’ve picked it up recently. Earlier in the year we would have left people on, but now we’re all figuring out how to get runners in.”

The Vikings (8-7, 5-6 PAC, 2-5 PAC Liberty) jumped out to a 6-0 lead right away in the top of the first inning. Kaylee Molitor hit a two-run double to right-center field while two runs scored on wild pitches, another on an error and another on a Jenna Russo groundout.

Eight more runs crossed the plate in the top of the second inning. Strechay had a three-run triple while Ava Boccelli, Denise Hurd and Bella Reedy each had RBI singles. Two other runs scored on wild pitches and it was a 14-0 game after two innings.

Powers had a two-run double in the third while Sophia Coleman, Ashley Carosi, Gianna Corropolese and Addison Smith each had RBI singles. Lili Foster brought home a run with a fielder’s choice.

Fourteen different Vikings stepped to the plate Monday. Everyone either scored and/or knocked in a run.

“Everyone has really been playing a big part on the team,” Strechay said. “Some people have their ups, some people have their downs. When people are doing bad, other people pick them up. I think it’s really easy with this team because everyone is helping each other out.”

Powers threw a three-inning shut out in the circle. She allowed one hit and walked one batter while striking out four.

The Eagles (5-8, 3-7 PAC, 0-6 PAC Liberty) were playing without one of the top catchers in the PAC, Camryn Holmes, who was out with an illness. The sophomore’s absence led to the defense shuffling around and some errors helped Perk Valley’s offense extend innings.

“Probably the best catcher in the PAC and she shuts down the running game, shuts down the wild pitches and any extracurricular stuff,” Norristown coach Jacob Echevarria said, noting the domino effect of moving players around.

The Eagles are currently the No. 28 seed in District 1-6A. The top 24 qualify for playoffs. Echevarria is hoping to see his team have fun during a busy stretch before the district seed meeting on May 18.

“When we come in and we have that fun mentality that we are going to enjoy life and enjoy that we’re out here playing softball,” he said, “they play really well. You’ve seen it in Boyertown (2-1 loss last week) where they had a blast and it showed in their game. In shows when you have fun, you’re going to play a lot better. When you get too serious or down – I think they were a little down (today) with Camryn not around – all of the sudden doom and gloom hits over and you’re probably not going to have your best performance.”

Perk Valley 21, Norristown 0 (3 innings)

Perk Valley 687 – 21

Norristown 000 – 0

WP: Audrey Powers 3 IP 4 K 1 BB 1 H 0 R

LP: Gianna Pino-Ramseur 2 IP 2 K 6 BB 8 H 16 R

2B: PV: Kaylee Molitori, Audrey Powers.

3B: PV: Maci Strechay.