Spring-Ford rallies past Methacton in PAC Liberty clash
WORCESTER >> Jules Ryan started Spring-Ford’s fourth inning with a single, and soon after a line drive by Ashley Della Guardia sailed into the gap in right-center field, pushing the Rams into the lead over their rival.
“We were waiting for that. We needed that,” Spring-Ford coach Tim Hughes said. “We have some kids that can hit the ball but (Methacton’s Caroline Pellicano) had us off balance a little bit. She’s a good pitcher.”
The Rams rallied past Pellicano and the Warriors, earning a 4-2 victory in the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division opener on Friday.
“It was a tough game,” said Ryan, who put together a 2-for-2 performance at the plate with a sacrifice, a pair of runs scored and an RBI. “It was very nice — a good start to the (division schedule).”
Spring-Ford (3-0) spread out seven hits, pushing key runs across in the fourth and sixth.
“We have 17 girls and they’re all pretty good,” Hughes said. “We have the luxury of getting a lot of different quality players in there. They’re quality players. They bust their butts and I don’t know if a coach can ask for anything more than that.”
The Rams went up 1-0 in the first when Noelle Reid led off with a single and eventually came in to score on the sac by Ryan. Methacton (2-1) pulled in front 2-1 in the bottom half, a double by Taylor Angelillis knocking in Kiki Hamilton (hit by pitch) and Tori Bockrath (walk).
Spring-Ford starter Brianna Peck and Pellicano kept the score the same until the fourth, when Della Guardia’s shot to right center allowed Ryan (single) and Sam Lindsay (fielder’s choice) to come racing home and make it 3-2.
The Rams added an insurance run in the sixth when Ryan got things started with a double and then scored on a double by Bridget Sharkey.
“That felt really good,” Ryan said with a smile. “It was a nice pop off the bat.”
“Each game, it may be somebody different, and that’s what I like about this group,” Hughes said. “They play well together.”
Peck locked things down from there, allowing just one hit while racking up 15 strikeouts. The Warriors had the tying run at the plate in the sixth but Peck got the out she needed.
“It was a good game,” Warriors coach Cathy Miller said. “Defensively, we’re doing what I thought we could and should do. You gotta play defense to stay in the games. We did have one little gaffe but it’s okay. As long as they learn from it, that’s all you can ask.
“We have a nice mix of three seniors, four juniors and then two freshmen. And then the bench is young too so it’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be a good season.”
Both teams hit the diamond again Wednesday: Methacton is at Perkiomen Valley and Spring-Ford is at Boyertown.
