Spring-Ford runs record to 20-0, handles Upper Merion in PAC semifinal
ROYERSFORD >> A year ago, the Spring-Ford softball team entered the Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs as favorites to take home the championship.
The Rams never got the chance to play it out in 2018, the PAC Final Four cancelled due to a week of weather postponements.
That opportunity taken away could have served as a rallying cry when Spring-Ford entered this year’s league postseason again as favorites, but there was really no need – the Rams’ motivations have been fine just the way they are.
The Rams ran their undefeated record to 20-0 Wednesday as its lineup continued to rack up the runs and sophomore Bri Peck and freshman Jules Scogna combined to allow only three hits in a 10-2 victory over Upper Merion in a Pioneer Athletic Conference semifinal Wednesday at Spring-Ford’s Ram Park.
Final: Spring-Ford 10, Upper Merion 2, PAC softball semifinal. Scogna strikeout ends it as she and Peck combine to allow only 3 hits. Rams remain unbeaten pic.twitter.com/v5Y6rPV24i
— Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog) May 15, 2019
Spring-Ford and Methacton – a 6-1 winner over Upper Perkiomen in the other semifinal – will meet for the league championship on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Spring-Ford.
Sophomores provided a spark for Spring-Ford Wednesday: Peck continued to dazzle in the circle, striking out 10 in four innings, allowing two hits and a run while the lineup was led by leadoff-hitting outfielder Noelle Reid (home run, 2-for-4, three RBI) and designated player Madi Walsh (2-for-3, four RBI).
“(Our success) definitely comes from our team mentality,” Reid said. “We all work so well with each other and cheer for each other and I think that support keeps us going.”
Peck began the season as starting shortstop but took over starting pitching duties in early/mid April and has dazzled with multiple no-hitters, including a blanking of finals opponent Methacton on April 25. Peck supplanted multi-year starter Samantha Lindsay, who has since left the team.
With Peck shifting to shortstop for the final three innings, Scogna kept the Vikings to a run on one hit while striking out four.
“I love both positions. It’s a lot of work, but I’ve worked towards it. I have the opportunity to play both positions and it’s a lot of fun,” Peck said.
With Peck throwing flames, the fielding opportunities can be limited for the other eight around the diamond.
“It’s great. I love to play behind her – it makes my job much easier,” Reid joked. “It makes things fun. I’m really proud of her, I think she does so well and I’m really happy for her.”
Peck and Reid downplayed any kind of extra motivation for Wednesday’s semifinal, which was postponed twice by rain. Spring-Ford coach Tim Hughes wasn’t surprised to hear that from his 1-2 hitters.
“I do feel like we got jipped out of that opportunity (last year), but this group doesn’t need to be motivated by saying, ‘We got ripped off,’” he said. “Those kids, they are just good and they play better relaxed.”
“I’m blessed with a lot of good players this year and they’ve all been playing together fantastically. They know when they don’t do something, they are going to get picked up by the next person. That’s been happening all year.”
The Rams capitalized on some command issues from Upper Merion starter Olivia Barr and struck for three first-inning runs, Walsh’s two-run single to the center-field wall the key moment.
Spring-Ford scored runs in five of its six at-bats.
Peck struck out the first six batters she faced, but the Vikings came to life in the third, getting a run on Samme Deskiewicz’s RBI single. The third baseman was 2-for-3.
Spring-Ford upped its lead to 7-1 in the fourth on an error and Peck RBI single. UM got one back on a Vanessa Hutchinson sacrifice fly that scored Valentina Marino, but Reid’s two-run home run in the fifth was the Rams’ reply.
Upper Merion (12-8) now heads to the District 1-5A playoffs, the Vikings ranked No. 6.
The Rams are ranked No. 1 in District 1-6A, but before that ranking can be put to any use when the district playoffs begin, they have some business to attend to.
“We take it a game at a time but our goal is always to win. I think with all the seniors here, they want to win, especially not playing (the PAC playoffs) last year,” Reid said.
NOTES >> Also having hits as part of S-F’s 12-hit offense were Jules Ryan, Emma Griffin, Ashely DellaGuardia, Julia Heine, Gracyn Marchesani and Maddie Little. … Barr’s final line was 3.1 innings, eight hits, seven runs (six earned), four walks. Reliever Kayla Warren went 2.2 innings and allowed three runs on four hits.
