Photos: Michael Szczepkowski
By: Jeremy Goode
NEWTOWN, PA Episcopal softball has not lost an Inter-Ac game since 2023.
Since then, they have won two league championships and been the model for the league. How could they not? They were not losing games in the Inter-Ac. Since their last loss in the league, Episcopal is 17-0.
So, the Inter-Ac has run through Episcopal.
That has been the case during the 2025 season as well, as Episcopal is wrapping up their season, with a 7-0 record in league play.
Make that 7-1
Episcopal’s Inter-Ac win streak was snapped on Tues., May 6 against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCHA), as the school from Chestnut Hill earned the shutout win on the road, 3-0. A loss to Episcopal would have put SCHA three games behind in the standings, officially ruling them out of contention from winning the league.
For the last few years, SCHA has been knocking on the door to be Inter-Ac champions. Episcopal did not open the door.
But that would not stop SCHA from continuously posing a threat, finishing in second place in the league right behind Episcopal. In 2023, SCHA finished third in the Inter-Ac.
You could say that this SCHA win at Episcopal was a long time in the making. Last year, they finished second, with a league record of 8-2. Both of their loses came at the hands of Episcopal, losing their first game at Episcopal 2-1.
In their second game at home, they also lost to Episcopal 2-1, this time in eight innings. That game was the difference between sharing the title with Episcopal and finishing second to Episcopal.
This season the door is wide open, and SCHA has a title-contending chance after pulling off a major win at Episcopal.
“With winning today, I feel like it gives us a little bit of momentum knowing we have done it once and can pull together and beat Episcopal at home next week,” SCHA head coach Stephanie Mill said. “There is a potential to win or tie for the title.”
What a difference a game can make.
Part of the intrigue in the Inter-Ac is its no playoffs system. It is the regular season and that is it. Whoever has the best record in the league at the end of the season is league champion.
If there is a tie at the top at the end of the year? Co-champions.
Because of the Inter-Ac scheduling and rules, it makes it feel as though every league game carries more weight. An early season loss in conference play could be devastating. It is a thin margin of error that stresses winning every game.
Game Highlights SCHA vs. EA - PSD Video by Jeremy Goode
SCHA saw it firsthand last season. They were half an inning away from sharing the title with Episcopal. They fell just short.
Fortunately for SCHA, they are very much alive due to their strong pitching and timely scoring against Episcopal. Sammie Snyder threw from the circle, and her pitching was a huge contributor to the win. Snyder threw seven innings of shutout softball and struck out 11 batters.
Sammie Snyder on Her First Time Beating Episcopal - PSD Video by Jeremy Goode
When Episcopal put the ball in play, SCHA was perfect in the field.
“Everything was working really well, and my team was behind me,” Snyder said. “We thought we could do it if we hit, fielded cleanly and pitched like how we can, so it’s a really good win.”
Snyder’s performance is not new. She has been dominant from the circle for SCHA for years.
On Tuesday, Synder’s dominant pitching was on display again. Her outing would be rewarded, snapping Episcopal’s 17 game win streak and possibly their chance to three-peat as sole Inter-Ac champions.
Her pitching is appreciated by the team.
“Playing behind Sammie is one of the greatest things I’ve been able to do,” SCHA third basemen Emma Caton said. “It is really important to have a strong pitcher, but not only a strong pitcher, a strong leader. And that’s just what Sammie is. She is always there to pick you up.”
While SCHA kept Episcopal off the scoreboard, Episcopal did the same to SCHA for five innings. Maia Contreras pitched well for Episcopal, keeping her team in the game.
Even with the pitching duel, SCHA eventually broke through. In the top of the sixth, Callan Curry started off the inning with a single. Sadie Friedman walked. With two outs, Morgan Risnychok walked to load the bases. Snyder then walked to give SCHA a 1-0 led.
Emma Caton on Her 2-RBI Single That Broke Open The Game - PSD Video by Jeremy Goode
“I just wanted to find any way to get on base to get the run in,” Synder said.
Caton followed and extended the lead to 3-0 with a single to right field that scored two. Her timely hit broke open the game and would make it hard for Episcopal to come back with little time.
“My approach going into the at bat was to stay calm and stick to what I know,” Caton said. “Although it was a little bit of a battle in the box mentality, I think if I have a positive attitude, I can do whatever I want.”
Realistically, SCHA always had a chance. They only graduated one senior from last year’s team and barely lost to Episcopal in both outings last season. They also have a really good team.
Even so, they did have to take care of business and get over the hump.
SCHA did.
“I know my team is capable of it and just doing the numbers, if we put it together, I knew we would be able to win,” Mill said. “I think the team believed that also. They did not let themselves get down. As long as it’s a close game, they know they have the potential.”
