WEST GROVE >> Even though it’s still very early, Monday’s Ches-Mont National softball match-up between Downingtown East and Avon Grove was a big one. Both teams came in a perfect 3-0, and two of the top pitchers in District 1 in the Cougars’ Rachael Schumann and the Red Devils’ Payton Hale were in the circle.
Though the Cougars managed just five hits in the game, three went for extra bases, and East hitters seemed to rise to the moment with runners in scoring position. Combined with a stellar day of defense behind Schumann, Downingtown East (4-0 overall, 2-0 Ches-Mont) pulled out a 4-1 victory over host Avon Grove (3-1, 1-1).
“We came out right away with a double from our lead-off hitter (Jade Jenkins),” said Cougars’ coach Peggy O’Dwyer. “We strung hits together when we needed and played good defense. Just a good all-around game.”
With one out in the third, Lucia Giuliani drove a ball deep to right and out of the park for a solo home run, giving her team an early lead, and Schumann a little breathing room.
“It’s always a huge relief to get runs early,” said Schumann. “We came excited for the competition, knowing this would be a tough game, so getting that home run helped me just relax and throw.”
The Cougars added another pair of runs in the fourth. After Schumann led off the inning with a sharply hit single through the hole on the second base side, Haley Long worked a walk. Sam Wendig then delivered, stroking a ball to the gap in deep right-center to knock in both runners.
“My whole team was really hyping me up right before the at bat,” said Wendig. “I just came up to the plate looking to help my team. I just waited for a strike, and drove it. It feels great to hit the way we did against a tough team and a tough pitcher.”
Avon Grove answered back with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Anna Heisler led off with a base on balls, then came around to score on a double up the middle from Gabby Beltran, who had two of the Devils’ four hits on the afternoon.
“We had a lot of good at bats, and I believe in our hitters that they are going to battle in there,” said Devils’ coach Dennis Ryan. “We will definitely learn from this and come back with a better game plan next time around.”
The Cougars used a little trickery to plate the final run of the game, After Sophia Kucera led off with a single and moved over to third on wild pitches, Haley Long reached on a walk. With runners at the corners, the Cougars worked a delayed double steal, with both runners winding up safe.
Schuman, who chipped on offensively going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, picked up the win in the circle, going all seven innings. Schumann allowed one run on four hits, striking out seven and walking two.
“They had a lot of good hitters in that line-up,” said Schumann. “A lot of times I can stick to hitting certain spots, but with them, I found I had to move in and out, up and down more, and change speeds. We’re off to a great start. We’re all excited to see how this year plays out. We all think we can go far.”
Downingtown East 0 1 0 2 1 0 0—4Avon Grove 0 0 0 1 0 0 0—1
WP—Schumann LP—HaleHR—Giuliani (DE) 2B—Jenkins (DE), Schumann (DE), Sycalik (AG)
![by Bill Rudick brudick55@gmail.com WEST GOSHEN>>The West Chester East softball team is getting hot at just the right time. After starting off the season 1-3, the Vikings have won eight of its last nine, including a 4-2 win over Unionville Friday afternoon. With the win, the Vikings (9-4 overall, 9-3 Ches-Mont) move up to the number five spot in the District 1, Class 5A rankings, with the playoffs looming just around the corner. “We are just getting better every time we take the field,” said East coach Bobby Swier. “Hats off to Unionville on the kind of season they are […]](https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/West-Chester-Easts-Rebecca-Opperman-delivers-a-pitch-BILL-RUDICK-for-MediaNews-Group.jpg?w=490 "by Bill Rudick brudick55@gmail.com WEST GOSHEN>>The West Chester East softball team is getting hot at just the right time. After starting off the season 1-3, the Vikings have won eight of its last nine, including a 4-2 win over Unionville Friday afternoon. With the win, the Vikings (9-4 overall, 9-3 Ches-Mont) move up to the number five spot in the District 1, Class 5A rankings, with the playoffs looming just around the corner. “We are just getting better every time we take the field,” said East coach Bobby Swier. “Hats off to Unionville on the kind of season they are […]")
![By Bill Rudick brudick55@gmail.com WESTTOWN>>Gabby Beltran reached base in all four plate appearances, and Elle Burns allowed just two earned runs as Avon Grove (7-4 overall, 3-2 Ches-Mont) topped Rustin by a score of 4-3 Wednesday afternoon on the Golden Knights’ (9-3, 5-1) home field in a Ches-Mont crossover game. “We learn and make our adjustments,” said Avon Grove coach Dennis Ryan. “We have a few close ones lately that just didn’t go our way, but we rebounded and played a solid game in just about every aspect and got a nice win over a good team.” After the Golden […]](https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Avon-Groves-Elle-Morris-slides-in-safely-behind-Rustin-catcher-Olivia-Shuffler-BILL-RUDICK-for-MediaNews-Group.jpg?w=490 "By Bill Rudick brudick55@gmail.com WESTTOWN>>Gabby Beltran reached base in all four plate appearances, and Elle Burns allowed just two earned runs as Avon Grove (7-4 overall, 3-2 Ches-Mont) topped Rustin by a score of 4-3 Wednesday afternoon on the Golden Knights’ (9-3, 5-1) home field in a Ches-Mont crossover game. “We learn and make our adjustments,” said Avon Grove coach Dennis Ryan. “We have a few close ones lately that just didn’t go our way, but we rebounded and played a solid game in just about every aspect and got a nice win over a good team.” After the Golden […]")
