SV softball team ready for 6A title game Friday
Neither Seneca Valley nor Spring-Ford was favored to reach the PIAA Class 6A softball title matchup.
Somehow, though, it comes as no surprise that the two groups are slated to battle for a state crown at Penn State University at 4 p.m. Friday.
“Maybe it was that (we) were overlooked in the beginning, and maybe they were, too,” Raiders coach Marlesse Hames said. “Everybody thought it would be North Penn and Pennsbury.
“Both teams are hungry.”
Near the end of April, SV was 5-6. Even after surfing to a WPIAL crown on a wave of wins, the Raiders (16-6) snuck up on opponents once the state tournament began. With freshman hurler Lexie Hames, they’ve only conceded two runs in the past three contests.
“I know how she works and what makes her tick,” said Coach Hames about her daughter, who has an ERA of under 0.75 since the regular season ended. “I know how to get her back on track if we’re not hitting spots or spins ... She thrives in a competitive nature.”
Having blanked two challengers in a row, she will try to keep the basepaths empty, shutting down bunts and keeping steals to a minimum.
The Rams (23-3) finished fourth in District 1. They’ve downed their three opponents in the state bracket by a combined 24-4 score. Like the Raiders, they have a pair of shutout victories since this tournament got underway.
Against North Penn in the state semis, Spring-Ford pitcher Jules Scogna outdueled her counterpart, Julia Shearer, who was named the 2021-22 Pennsylvania Gatorade Softball Player of the Year. Scogna has allowed 11 earned runs in 24 outings this campaign.
“They’re both really good pitchers,” Coach Hames said. “I think it’s going to come down to who hits the ball better and defensive plays ... When you’re playing this good of a team and you get to these types of competition, you’ve got to be crisp on that defense and you’ve got to hit.”
On offense, sisters Maddie and Bella Gross pace SV with .506 and .464 batting averages, respectively. The former, a senior, has 14 homers and 48 RBIs.
Hayley Walter, Mia Ryan, and Kara Pasquale are all hitting over .400 on the season, as well.
“Them coming alive (with) hitting has been the big thing,” Coach Hames said.
When the team was under .500, it focused in on swinging the bat in practice, especially when it came to making contact on the far side of the dish.
“A lot of teams pitch outside,” Coach Hames said. “We feel pretty confident with being able to hit all aspects of the plate. We’ve had a lot of opposite field home runs and hits.
“Taking that away makes it harder for pitchers to pitch to (us).”
For the Rams, sophomore first baseman Caitlin Ashley has a team-leading .561 batting average in 74 trips to the plate.
The Raiders would take home their first state championship with a win. The same goes for Spring-Ford.
