By: John Knebels
LEVITTOWN, PA – In the grand scheme of things, it was mostly just a regular season game between two of the Philadelphia Catholic League’s best softball teams.
That explains why Archbishop Wood’s players and head coach, though thoroughly enjoying their 6-0 victory April 13 at Conwell-Egan that improved their record to 4-0, placed proper perspective on their achievement.
“We were excited,” said Wood coach Jackie Ecker. “We knew it was going to be a battle. Playing Egan is always tough. Coach Sandy (Hart) always has her team ready to go.”
With both teams featuring six of the nine starters from last year’s Catholic League championship battle – won by Archbishop Wood, 3-2 – the Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the second, added two runs in the fifth, another in the sixth, and two more in the seventh.
Conversely, though they put at least one runner on base in every inning, the Eagles were unable to solve Wood senior pitcher Dakota Fanelli. While securing her third league shutout, last year’s PCL pitcher of the year surrendered six hits (half of them by senior PCL Most Valuable Player Katey Brennan), two walks, and a hit batter while striking out eight.
The Eagles left 10 runners on base, the most damaging when they stranded the bases loaded in the second inning and two runners on in the third.
“If I let (pressure situations) get in my head, my fielders are going to see that,” said Fanelli. “I have to control my emotions and pitch my game.”
When hearing the term “defending champion,” the Vikings quickly emphasize that 2023 offers a completely different entity, and what they accomplished in 2022 has no bearing on this spring.
Julia Yogis aided in Archbishop Wood's offense in victory - PSD Video by John Knebels
Conwell-Egan's Katey Brennan saw some positives in defeat - PSD Video by John Knebels
Still, when the two finalists from the previous season meet for the first time during a new campaign, there’s no way to avoid the pre- and post-game hype.
The Vikings immediately attempted their characteristic aggressive base running, which backfired when Conwell-Egan executed inning-ending outs at third base in the second inning and at home plate in the third. Still, Ecker’s assertive approach of allowing her players to quickly get their uniforms dirty clearly assuaged some understandable early nerves.
“We definitely knew we were coming in here with a target on our back,” said Fanelli. “We knew that if we were going to win this game, we had to have our energy up and we had to play our game. Go pitch by pitch; hit by hit.”
Wood coach Jackie Ecker liked what she saw in win, but knows improvement is needed - PSD Video by John Knebels
Wood seniors Paige Ross and Dakota Fanelli anticipated big matchup at Conwell-Egan - PSD Video by John Knebels
Wood’s contributors spread out precisely the way any coach would prefer. Eight different Vikings contributed a hit, five scored at least one run, and five knocked in a run. While junior Parker Kraus, senior Maggie Devlin, senior Paige Ross, freshman Allie Higdon (great slide at home that gave Wood a 2-0 edge with two outs in the fifth; two-out single in sixth that upped lead to 4-0), and Fanelli each notched an RBI, junior Julia Yogis ripped a double and triple and scored a team-high two runs.
“We all came in with confidence and energy,” said Yogis. “That was a huge part of the game today. No matter who is at the plate, somebody can get a hit. If we have runners on, anybody is capable of getting somebody in – even just putting the ball in play.”
With strong at bats at the bottom of the order and competent defense, freshmen Higdon and Maddison Conlon continued to prove they belong at the varsity level, contributing a combined two hits, two runs scored, and a run batted in.
Upperclassmen Ross and Fanelli said the youngsters’ inspired play fuels them to give just a little bit more in preparation and performance.
“I love our freshmen, they’re on fire,” said Fanelli. “We lost two great players last year, and I would say that Maddie and Allie have filled in those spots like we need them to. They have stepped up to the challenge. It makes me work harder. I know it makes the whole team work harder.”
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)