(PHOTOS & VIDEO BY KATHY LEISTER FOR PSD)
BY JEREMY GOODE
ABINGTON, PA--There are a lot of similarities between Leah and Layla Fulton. For one, they’re identical twin sisters. They’re the same height. They’re both lefties. They both smash softballs.
Leah pitches. Layla catches. They also play shortstop and third base. Just as they excel in the field at their own positions, they also both can rake with the bat when their number is called. They are both among the youngest players in the Friends School League, yet they carry great responsibility for their team -- Layla by leading off. And Leah following shortly after her sister as the three-hole hitter.
The Fulton sisters are in eighth grade but are the best players on the Westtown varsity softball team. Their play was on full display as they led Westtown School to a 9-0 victory at Abington Friends School (AFS) on Fri., April 4.
“They’re just going to get better,” Westtown softball head coach JP Ngo said. “They work really hard, and I anticipate some really great things from them.”
Part of their intrigue, besides their raw skill, is their youth. The Fulton's arrived at Westtown last year as seventh graders. This year, they are eligible to participate on the varsity team. Two middle schoolers in a battle among 14–18-year-olds. And they are holding their own quite well.
Leah pitched a complete game shutout against AFS while striking out 17 of the 21 batters she faced. She also hit a home run. Out of a combined eight at bats, Leah and Layla got on base seven times.
“That’s the best I’ve pitched in a while,” Leah said. “In the beginning, I’m a little bit nervous, but when I keep going I get into it.”
Their contributions in the field and at the plate are more than welcome for this Westtown team. Many of the players on the team have little or no experience playing softball. They attract a lot of newcomers since Westtown requires all their students to participate in a sport. So, while other girls on the team contribute, the Fulton's exponentially help the team’s cause in getting on base and scoring runs.
Besides their youthfulness and skill, what might be the most impressive feat is their own relatively short experience in the game. The twins have only been playing the sport for three years. In that time, they have been good enough to make their club softball team and lead their teammates who are high schoolers on the field as middle schoolers.
The Fulton sisters experience a wide array of emotions from getting to play together so closely and produce at a high level. On one hand, they take care of business on the field. On the other, they feel as though they have to balance their family ties.
Westtown's Leah and Layla Fulton. (PSD Photo by Kathy Leister)
Westtown in game vs. Abington Friends (highlights by Kathy Leister for PSD)
“It’s sometimes frustrating but it’s funny sometimes because we get mad at each other,” Layla said. “But then at the same time it’s just fun; I get to catch for her.”
Against AFS, it was all fun for the Fulton's and their Westtown teammates.
Westtown struck early thanks to Layla taking a walk to start the game. They scored two runs in the first inning by stealing bases and putting the ball in play. In the field, Leah had control on the mound, getting through AFS’s lineup with not much trouble and getting help from her teammates when the ball was in play.
It would not be until the top of the fourth inning when Westtown would be able to put the game away. Already up 3-0, they scored four runs in their top half. Layla doubled to right field, scoring Faith Parades. Leah eventually followed with a triple to deep left center field, scoring Gaby Caballero and Layla.
The commanding shutout win is a testament to how far this Westtown team has come. Only about three girls on the team had softball experience coming into the season. Their manager, Victoria Potts, was in the nine-hole in the lineup since they were missing some players who were out for the game. Potts put the ball in play a few times to move up some runners, as Westtown was able to get contributions all around. And the defense played well.
Westtown Catcher Layla Fulton talks about her performance and her team's strengths. (video/ Jeremy Goode for PSD)
Westtown Pitcher Leah Fulton talks about her contributions on the mound and love of the game. (video/ Jeremy Goode for PSD)
“It’s tough because before when we had strong pitchers, everybody just stood around,” Ngo said. “It was nice to see the defense make some plays today.”
When AFS was able to get hits through to the outfield, center fielder Danielle Pindado Rivilla and right fielder Potts kept the ball in front of them, holding AFS to one base.
Additionally, Pindado Rivilla is an international soccer player who has a strong arm. She is still acclimating to the position and the sport.
Even though Westtown is getting through a season with a lot of newcomers to the sport, they know they have at least two strong athletes who will grow for five years. It has been a new type of challenge for Ngo as a coach, but one that he has enjoyed.
“I really enjoy this team more because I am surprised every game,” Ngo said. “We came back and beat the Hill School 9-6 after being down 5-0. We have a decent team to play with and I’m up to the challenge and will keep working at it.”
