PCL Girls’ Roundup: Softball and Lacrosse Already Providing Exciting Narratives

Photos/Videos: Colleen Claggett, Donna Eckert & John Knebels

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – Comparing Philadelphia Catholic League softball and girls’ lacrosse yields an exercise in futility.

Two completely separate entities.

In softball, six out of 10 teams will reach the playoffs, but at least four squads possess the necessities to finish first. In lacrosse, a completely different story. More on that later.

SOFTBALL:

With weather conditions having only ruined one day of competition – a minor miracle considering the past few years of Mother Nature’s moodiness – a logjam has resulted in the top of the PCL softball standings, where St. Hubert’s and Archbishop Ryan are tied with 3-0 records, followed by 2-0 Archbishop Carroll and 2-1 Archbishop Wood.

Unless something unforeseen occurs between now and mid-May, those four should reach the playoffs and be joined by Conwell-Egan and Cardinal O’Hara.

“We are learning and improving every day we step on field,” said St. Hubert’s coach Dan Milio. “Girls are playing together and with confidence.”

Hubert’s league opener against visiting Cardinal O’Hara belonged in a time capsule.

The Bambies trailed 5-1 in the sixth inning but cut the deficit to 5-4 heading into the home seventh. Hubert’s tied the game when senior Charlotte Pugh singled home sophomore Michaela Stopa (running for senior Sarah McLaughlin).

With the bases loaded, an infield single by sophomore Ella Douris scored freshman Abbey Steinbrecher for the walk-off victory.

St. Hubert vs. Cardinal O'Hara Game Highlights by Colleen Claggett:

That McLaughlin aided the winning rally surprised no one. She has paced the Hubert offense with three home runs and 10 RBI. When not pounding the softball, McLaughlin is behind the plate catching senior Riley Long (4-0 record and 46 strikeouts overall, including non-league games), junior Maura Gorman, and Steinbrecher.

“Starting 3-0 in the PCL is great, but next week we got Ryan and Carroll,” said Milio. “So we’ll see how we measure up against two top programs.”

*****

In softball, it all comes down to who’s on the mound. Pitching not strong? Won’t win enough. Might stay close and forge an exciting slugfest victory now and then, but for the long term, it won’t work.

Cue the entrance of sudden contender Cardinal O’Hara.

When the season commenced, few if anyone outside of O’Hara headquarters had the Lions as a team to be reckoned with. Coming off a 3-6 campaign, O’Hara figured to battle with the lower tier of the 10-team PCL and perhaps find a path to the playoffs.

Now? Meet Hayden Sissons. In three games against three of the traditionally strongest squads, the freshman has struck out 42 batters. That’s. A. Lot. Of. Strikeouts.

St. Hubert vs. Cardinal O'Hara - PSD Gallery by Colleen Claggett

After coming so close to defeating St. Hubert’s, stunning PCL championship runner-up Conwell-Egan, 4-2, and taking defending league champ Archbishop Ryan to eight innings before dropping a 9-5 decision, the Lions are no longer a surprise.

“That was a nice win against Conwell-Egan,” said first year O’Hara coach Terry Coyne. “Our fourth inning was a nice inning where we put together a string of four hits in a row with two outs and we produced four runs.

“Conwell-Egan is always a well-coached team and we are young, so a win really helps our confidence.”

*****

Archbishop Carroll has only played two league games, but an 8-2 win at Archbishop Wood followed by a 10-4 victory at Conwell-Egan places the Patriots in terrific shape moving forward.

Patriots coach Mike Lorine appeared relieved after Carroll scored five runs in the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie and defeat Wood.

“It’s a big win,” said Lorine. “Wood is tough. That lineup is tough. Great pitching. I’m thrilled.”

Highlighted by a home run by junior Maddie Martin in the top of the second, Carroll made the most of its eight hits. Martin and senior Maya Preston both knocked in a pair of runs. One of senior Cheyenne Niehoff’s two hits was a triple. She also knocked in a run.

Carroll vs. Wood Highlights by John Knebels

Senior pitcher Gianna Liciardello gained strength as the game continued. She allowed seven hits and two earned runs over seven innings.

“I just knew that I had everybody behind me to help me, so I just threw as hard as I could,” said Liciardello. “It’s always a tight game against Wood. They’re a really good team.”

Archbishop Carroll coach Mike Lorine was all smiles after season-opening 8-4 win over Archbishop Wood - Video by John Knebels

Carroll pitcher Giana Liciardello (left) threw a complete game & Maddie Martin slugged a home run in win vs. Wood -Video by John Knebels

Martin didn’t try to hide her excitement of bashing a homer in her team’s league opener.

“It feels absolutely amazing to do,” said Martin. “Just swing level. Swing through the ball. I knew she (Wood pitcher Dakota Fanelli) was throwing inside pretty hard, and I just went with it.”

*****

Archbishop Wood rebounded quickly with two impressive performances.

With junior Dakota Fanelli striking out 11 and surrendering only two hits, the Vikings blanked Bonner-Prendergast, 11-0. Wood’s offense started early and didn’t let up.

Sophomore Maura Yoos finished 3-3 with a triple, three RBI, and two runs scored. Junior Paige Ross drilled three hits and knocked in three. In the leadoff position, senior Abby Windish (1-3) scored two runs and knocked in a pair. Fanelli was 2-3 with an RBI and run scored. Senior Kiersten Reeser (2-3, RBI) and junior Elizabeth James (1-3, two runs scored) also contributed.

“It couldn’t have been better,” said Fanelli. “We were all on the same page. We came in ready and we went after it.”

Wood’s first four hitters went a torrid 9 for 13 with five runs scored and nine RBI. As usual, Yoos, one of the league’s most exciting sophomores who lost much of last season to a hand injury, was in the middle of the action.

“Batting up in the lineup, I really trust my teammates to bring me home,” said Yoos. “We kind of stringed some hits together and got a lot of runs.”

On Wednesday, Wood continued to pitch and hit.

Against non-league opponent Gwynedd Mercy Academy, Fanelli pitched a complete game and struck out nine with no walks. Windish and Yoos combined to go 7 for 10 with two runs scored and two RBI. Sophomore Parker Kraus ripped a homer.

Windish missed most of last season to a serious knee injury. Through arduous rehabilitation, she has returned with a vengeance.

“It’s amazing to be back and playing with my team,” said Windish. “I wouldn’t take it for granted at all. There’s no better feeling to be back in the field. It’s definitely hard to be sitting out for nine months and stay patient.”

Infielder Maura Yoos and pitcher Dakota Fanelli helped lead Wood past Bonner-Prendergast - Video by John Knebels

Archbishop Wood senior Abby Windish has returned from last season’s knee injury - Video by John Knebels

Wood coach Jackie Ecker talks about Dakota Fanelli's confidence on the mound - Video by John Knebels

Wood coach Jackie Ecker experienced heartbreak last spring when several of her players lost plentiful time to freak injuries. Somehow, Ecker guided the Vikings past the obstacles and ended up in the PCL semifinals against eventual champ Archbishop Ryan. Two weeks later, a botched umpire call stole an extra-inning PIAA playoff victory.

“We talk about staying healthy,” said Ecker. “They just want to play and they want to do well. They really worked hard from the winter on.”

GIRLS LACROSSE:

With 20 straight PCL titles, it’s a foregone conclusion that defending PIAA state champion Archbishop Carroll will once again snare the crown this year.

Or is it?

The Patriots’ top competition, Cardinal O’Hara, gave the Patriots a scare in the league opener before losing, 13-9. Still, Carroll’s winning streak versus PCL squads extended to 255.

*****

Erin Eckert took over as coach at Archbishop Wood this spring and has immediately produced dividends.

At 2-1, the Vikings were victorious at Bonner-Prendergast, 12-8, and after losing to Carroll, doubled visiting Archbishop Ryan, 20-10. The victory over B-P in Wood’s league opener avenged a 16-12 loss last year.

“It was great to see my girls very excited to get their first PCL win, especially after losing to that team in their previous season,” said Eckert. “I wasn’t nervous for my first PCL game, I was more excited than anything.”

Wood survived being a player down after receiving a yellow card late in the second half. Bonner-Prendergast scored a goal, but the Vikings seized the next draw, attacked on offense, and killed the rest of the penalty for the final 1 minute, 30 seconds of being shorthanded.

The Vikings had worked on such a scenario during practice. They obviously benefited from the instruction.

“Their composure and patience to kill the penalty late in the second half helped to keep the lead and ultimately win the game,” said Eckert.

Archbishop Carroll vs. Archbishop Wood GLAX - PSD Gallery by Donna Eckert

Eckert, 23, graduated in 2016 from Wood, where she played soccer and lacrosse. She later played lacrosse at Jefferson University, formerly Philadelphia University, and graduated with an undergraduate degree in engineering. She will earn an MBA from Jefferson next month.

While respecting the formidable resumes of her peer coaches, Eckert feels more than ready for this journey like she belongs in insisted that is not the case.

“It’s not intimidating to be the youngest coach,” said Eckert. “I don’t want people to use my age to discredit my leadership abilities. With three years of being captain for my college team, I was fortunate enough that my college coach allowed me to lead my teammates both on and off the field.

“That experience has helped me to make adjustments to individual and team play throughout practices and games, and ultimately become the leader that I am for these girls. I can also identify with my players’ struggles and emotions more easily since I just finished my college career last May.”

(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)