Home runs, hot bats send Spring-Ford softball past Owen J. Roberts

BUCKTOWN >> Spring-Ford’s softball team is being careful not to ride too much of a high this spring.

Given the Rams won their first state final in program history last year and opened 2023 with a pair of wins, they have reason for some pep in their step. Maybe even more so now after a 14-4 win over Owen J. Roberts on the road Monday, having delivered three multi-run homers to run away with their first divisional win of the season.

Overconfidence can be an achilles heel, but so far, the Rams are weathering those waters.

“We don’t want to be overconfident, but we have enough confidence in ourselves in that we’re able to keep this going, keep winning games and not get down on ourselves so much,” junior outfielder Caitlin Ashley said.

Ashley (3-for-3) blasted a pair of two-run shots to springboard Spring-Ford (3-0), which recorded 17 hits with no strikeouts.

Her first came in the top of the third inning after placing one just inside the left-field pole to go up 3-0 over the Wildcats (2-2). Two innings later, the All-State hitter once again homered to dial the Rams up to a 5-1 advantage.

Top 3 | That’s a two-run shot for Caitlin Ashley, no outs.

Spring-Ford 3, Owen J. Roberts 0 pic.twitter.com/VXAgnauz1c

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) April 3, 2023

Top 5 | Stop me if this sounds familiar, but Caitlin Ashley has hit *another* two-run homer with no outs.

Rams gaining some cushion here heading into the stretch.

Spring-Ford 5, Owen J. Roberts 1 pic.twitter.com/Bk0jHiAwOS

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) April 3, 2023

In later innings, Ashley was intentionally walked by Owen J. Roberts in an effort to prevent more damage from the Mercury All-Area first teamer. But the floodgates remained open, pitcher Jess Fliszar (3-for-4, 6 RBI) batting next in the order and belting a three-run double to go up 13-4 in the seventh.

“When people are going to walk Caitlin, we’re going to need someone behind and Jess came through with a bases-loaded double today to plate all those runs,” Spring-Ford coach Shawn Corropolese said. “We’re going to need those kids following some of our bigger bats. I think we have that on our team.”

Fliszar also had an RBI single in the first to open the scoring. She drove in two runs in the sixth inning as well.

In the circle, Fliszar struck out three with six hits allowed over six innings. Fliszar, who worked valuable innings in relief during the Rams’ run to the state title in 2022, is getting the starting nod this spring with the graduation for last year’s Mercury All-Area Player of the Year Jules Scogna (St. Joseph’s).

Three of the Wildcats’ hits came in succession during the third frame. Owen J. Roberts also worked four walks against her as well.

“With Jess walking a couple people, she has to know we all have her back on the field and in the dugout,” Ashley said. “Off the field even, having that strong bond when we’re not playing together helps to be connected as a family, not just a team.”

The Wildcats made some noise in the sixth inning. Down 7-1 with loaded bases and no outs, Liza Flavin, Hayden Streeter and Gabriella Winnick all knocked an RBI each to close the gap 7-4.

But then came Spring-Ford’s third home run, courtesy of Alyssa Burgess. With two runners on, Burgess matched that three-run production with one swing of the bat to pull away again 10-4.

“We’re a good hitting team, so putting together that inning was nice,” Wildcats coach Steve Winnick said. “The girls said it themselves out in the huddle, we have to be able to close the game. We can’t make a run to come back just to turn around and give those runs back.”

Top 7 | Well…

After three runs from OJR, Allie Burgess matches that with one swing of the bat.

Third HR this game for the Rams.

Spring-Ford 10, Owen J. Roberts 4 pic.twitter.com/7DhAdIAlce

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) April 3, 2023

Olivia Egan (2-for-3, RBI) drove in Owen J. Roberts’ initial run of the game to cut it to 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning. Jacqi Skonieczny had a multi-hit game for the Wildcats, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored.

The Wildcats were without All-State Drexel commit and multi-year starting pitcher Natalie Allred. According to Winnick, Alldred sustained a shoulder injury in the fall playing for her travel team in Colorado, which required surgery. Alldred is currently a designated hitter who is expected to return this season.

“We’re looking forward to having her back in the circle and on the field. It’ll change the dynamic of what we have,” Winnick said on Alldred. “She’ll be 100% when she’s ready to go in that circle.”

In Alldred’s place were Ashlyn Kunkle (2.2 innings) and Grace Priboraoski (4 innings).

Spring-Ford’s batting has been a tidal wave early on this spring, dropping 14 and 17 runs respectively in wins over Exeter and Pottstown. Both squads were held to two runs.

That strong presence at the plate, coupled with crisp fielding, showed up again to open PAC play. It’s an early sign of strength for the squad ranked No. 6 in District 1.

“Our kids are coming together. We’re young, but our kids are really starting to come together,” Corropolese said. “Defensively, we didn’t make a mistake today. We have some new kids out on the field and they’re starting to jell as a team.”

Spring-Ford 14, Owen J. Roberts 4