Softball: Anna Sidlowski humming along with three homers, leads Garnet Valley past Ridley

RIDLEY TWP. — Anna Sidlowski’s third home run Monday wasn’t quite the no-doubter her teammates witnessed in her prior at bats.

The Garnet Valley senior hit the ball high to right-center field. Two Ridley outfielders converged, hoping they had a chance at a play. Instead they ran out of room and toppled over the mesh fence. Sidlowski trotted around the bases and was mobbed at home plate by her teammates for the third time. This one was a grand slam. She then went out and finished a complete game from the circle.

Led by Sidlowski’s three long balls, Garnet Valley flexed its muscle and bested Ridley, 15-5, in a battle of Central League unbeatens.

Sidlowski had the offensive game of her life. Her stats read like something out of a video game: 4-for-5 with three home runs, a double, nine RBIs and three runs scored. Yes, nine ribbies.

After the game the Marist College commit was modest when discussing her dominance at the plate.

“I was struggling at the beginning of the year a little bit,” Sidlowski said. “It definitely feels good to be back on track. We are always working on hitting in practice. (Coach Bryan Garrett) is always helping me out.”

Sidlowski allowed a season-high five runs against a very dangerous Ridley (11-1) lineup. Three of those runs came off the bat of Paige McLaughlin in the sixth inning. Sidlowski bore down and left a runner stranded at third to escape further damage. Sidlowski, who has pitched no-hitters and perfect games this season, was in control the entire way Monday.

This was the biggest game of the season in the Central League. The winner would be in the driver’s seat for the league title (the teams will play again at Garnet Valley May 15). How did Sidlowski prepare during the school day?

“By not thinking about it at all,” she said. “I usually try to shut it out, listen to some music, sing a song. That’s the best way to go for me.”

Sidlowski was the anti-hero to Ridley on Monday. She was the problem.

“I have the pleasure of coaching her on the national level in travel ball, and she is just as good at that level,” Garrett said. “She belongs on the field with kids going to Power Five conferences. Marist has a heck of a player coming their way.”

After running itself out of a rally in the first inning, Garnet Valley (14-0) plated four runs with two outs in the second. The big blast was Sidlowski’s first dinger, a three-run shot. The Jags added two in the third on a two-run double by Maddie Stiles.

The Jaguars batted around in the fourth, scoring five runs on six hits. Hannah Long was hit by a pitch, then Sidlowski belted a two-run homer. Stiles drove in two more with a single and Alaina Sareyka’s bloop RBI single gave the Jaguars an 11-2 advantage.

“There was a lot of anticipation for this game all day,” Stiles said. “So, getting to go up to bat and produce, it means a lot to work for my team.”

Garnet Valley collected 15 hits and every hitter in the lineup reached base at least one time. Emily Orsini, Anna Sareyka and Long (three runs) all had a pair of singles for the Jags.

“It’s a super good feeling to be able to trust whoever’s up to bat and know that they can come up with something in high pressure situations,” Stiles said.

In addition to hitting a three-run homer, McLaughlin doubled and scored Ridley’s first run in the second inning. Jolie Torrens, who was the losing pitcher, had a single and a sacrifice fly.

Ridley will look to avenge this loss in two weeks at Garnet Valley. For now, the Jags proved they are the league favorite.

“I told the girls that the next time we play them, I wouldn’t be surprised if they jump out on us,” Garrett said. “They’re that good. They have a great lineup and a great group of girls. (Ridley coach) Brooke (Roark) is doing a great job. I think the Central League has been the toughest it’s been, top to bottom. We still have a lot of work to do. There are a lot of very good teams.”

Elsewhere in the Central League:

Upper Darby 11, Lower Merion 2 >> Sarah Gentile twirled a complete game four-hitter and had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two home runs for the Royals.

Mia Kerwood smashed a solo homer, while CeCe Jones and Julia Blankley each tripled for the winning team.

Marple Newtown 13, Harriton 3 >> Amanda O’Keefe went 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored for the Tigers. Amanda Collins (two runs) and Mia Dalessandro chipped in with two hits apiece. Maggie Coupe was the winning pitcher.