FAYETTEVILLE >> Archbishop Wood’s season ended Monday afternoon with an 8-0 loss against Elizabeth Forward in the PIAA-4A state semifinals at Norlo Park Softball Complex. The defeat also results in the end of the high school careers for Wood’s senior class.
The Vikings’ upperclassmen leave an impressive mark on the softball program. They qualified for the state playoffs three times – reaching the quarterfinals in 2023 and the program’s first trip to the semifinals this year. They also won the Philadelphia Catholic League championship as sophomores in 2022.
“I think we really left a mark (on the program),” Wood second baseman Maura Yoos said. “We made history – came in here, made history (winning) the Catholic League sophomore year. It was really fun to be a part of it and (there are) a lot of great girls in this program that contributed.
“It was really fun. This group of girls is really amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior season. It was really great.”
The senior class includes Yoos, Parker Kraus, Julia Yogis, Elise Cawley and Krystal Slifer. Yoos and Kraus were first team All-Catholic selections as juniors and seniors.
“The seniors are incredible,” Wood coach Jackie Ecker said. “They were the ones who do not quit. They have been with us, injured – these girls battle. They’re softball players. It sounds weird to say, but they battle hard and they really wanted this. They wanted to come out and prove they should be here. It didn’t go our way in the PCL this year as far as playoffs, but we made it further than our two other 4A schools. That’s a pretty big deal for us.”
Those other 4A schools from the PCL were Archbishop Ryan and Archbihop Carroll, who both lost in the first round of states.
The Vikings got to this stage by beating Trinity in the first round, 8-1, and picking up one of the biggest wins in program history – a 5-4 victory in 10 innings over District 9 champion St. Mary’s in the quarterfinals.
“They wanted that game and they weren’t going to lose that game,” Ecker said. “We knew coming in here (Elizabeth Forward was) a really good team. (Shelby Telegdy) is a really good pitcher and they can hit.”
In Monday’s game against Elizabeth Forward, Wood fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and never recovered. The best scoring opportunity came in the third inning when Katherine Freligh and Allie Higdon singled with one out. Back-to-back hard-hit groundballs found EF gloves and the inning was over with both runners stranded in scoring position.
While Wood does lose its five seniors that helped shape the program, it does bring back plenty of talent and excitement for the future.
“We have a lot coming back,” Ecker said. “A real good freshman pitcher as well. We’ll see what happens.”
Elizabeth Forward 8, Archbishop Wood 0
Archbishop Wood 000 000 0 – 0
Elizabeth Forward 304 001 x – 8
WP: Shelby Telegdy 7 IP 8 K 1 BB 5 H 0 R
LP: Jackie Cobb 6 IP 1 K 0 BB 13 H 8 R
2B: EF: Aubri Cimba, Julia Resnik.
