HAVERFORD – Meghan Kent blasted a solo home run over the fence in left field Friday at Haverford Reserve Park in the third inning of the Fords’ 8-4 victory over Ridley.
“That was my first of the season,” Kent said. “I’ve been waiting for it.”
The next time Kent strode to the plate in the fourth, the Green Raiders wanted no part of her. The intentional walk was the right decision, it just didn’t pay off. There were two outs and a base open, and Kent, who will continue her career at West Chester, was apt to jack another one out of the yard and bust the game open.
The only problem with issuing a free pass to Kent, cleanup hitter and one of six Haverford seniors committed to playing softball at the collegiate level, was there was more danger lurking around the corner. Madie Culbertson, who is bound for Penn State-Brandywine, smashed a triple to center field to plate two runs and the Fords were on their way to a breezy win on a bitter cold afternoon.
The Fords (4-0) have started the season like a team poised to do a lot of damage in the Central League. A District 1 Class 6A finalist a season ago, the Fords have more seniors going off to college to play softball than they did in 2022, when they advanced to the PIAA championship game.
In addition to Kent and Culbertson, second baseman Grace Ciochetto (Shippensburg), first baseman Annabelle Knese (Kutztown), left fielder Sarah Hubley (Ithaca) and pitcher Lucy Wolf (Ursinus) have their futures set in softball.
“We all have the same goal, we’re all fighting for the same thing, and that’s what makes us so close,” Kent said. “We’re all here to win and that is so important. We have six committed seniors out of seven, so we all know what it takes to get to the next level and how hard we have to work together. The team chemistry is great on this team and that is why we are doing so well. Everybody’s pumped, everybody has so much energy. We all pick each other up all the time. It’s just an incredible team to be a part of.”
Wolf, in her second full season as team ace, has made incredible strides to become one of the top pitchers in Delaware County. She has developed under pitching coach, Missy Schwartz, who was an All-Delco pitcher at Interboro. Wolf has learned to put extra spin on her pitches to deceive hitters.
“She’s always there if I need her to be, she comes out and watches our games and sees what I am doing,” said Wolf, who struck out 10 and scattered five hits and four runs (three earned) in a complete game performance. “I don’t go off my speed, that’s not what I do. I focus a lot on my spin and getting that down the way it should be, so I can spin the ball in and out effectively to make them hit the ball… not hard.”
Wolf coaxed plenty of weak contact against Ridley. The only time the Green Raiders (0-2) seemed to square her up was when Briana Benedetto singled to lead off the third inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Caitlyn Senkow base knock.
“My curve has been pretty effective lately, but I’d also say my screwball,” Wolf said. “I’ve been working on going in and out more. Last year, I threw a lot of screwballs inside and this year I’m throwing the curveball inside and then coming back with the screwball inside.”
Whatever Wolf is doing with her pitches, the Fords love it.
“I wouldn’t want anyone else on the mound,” Kent said. “Our team is built on trust … and we trust Lucy on the mound.”
Ciochetto hit a line drive RBI double in the fifth to give Haverford a 3-1 lead. Following Culbertson’s two-run three-bagger, Olivia Carter knocked her in with a single. Leadoff hitter Alli Daly, who jump-started the Fords’ four-run fifth with a triple, had an RBI single to make it 8-1 in the sixth. Knese had a sacrifice fly in the first to begin the scoring, while Hubley and Maddie Scarpato each reached base twice. Morgan Barrett was rock solid behind the dish.
Haverford is hoping to reclaim the Central League title. The Fords won three straight championships in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Garnet Valley won the crown last season.
“We know that’s where we should end up and that is one of our goals, but we can’t let up,” Kent said. “So that’s why we fight every game.”
In other Central League action:
Garnet Valley 8, Upper Darby 1 >> Alaina Sareyka led the Jags with three hits, including a double, a stolen base and three runs scored. Jenna Fulmer went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, Maddie Stiles added two hits and Maddie Menzona a double. Ashlyn Thompson pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts.
Marple Newtown 10, Radnor 0 >> Mia Dalessandro collected three hits and three ribbies for the Tigers (3-0). Amanda O’Keefe was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Grace Corner provided a hit and two RBIs. Maggie Coupe pitched a three-hit shutout with six punchouts.
In nonleague play:
Sun Valley 14, Penncrest 6 >> Ally Sheppard belted a three-run homer and scored three runs to help the Vanguards to victory. Layla Murphy had a big game with a homer and two singles. Ava Schmidt (three RBIs) and Devin Warner (two RBIs) were productive at the dish in support of winning pitcher Jordyn Skarren.
Springfield 6, Interboro 5 >> Ava Craddock homered and Jules Trivarelli doubled for the Cougars. Craddock, Trivarelli, Rayleigh Frye and Nikki Morrison all had two hits.
Vanessa Harrity had a single and three RBIs and Mare Nagle went 2-for-2 with three runs scored for the Bucs.
