Photos/Videos: John Knebels, Adam Ashburn, Jake Law & Mark Zimmaro

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – After six weeks of a regular-season elevator ride, the Philadelphia Catholic League playoffs have arrived.

Those who weren’t exactly thrilled with how they got here share championship aspirations with those who dominated. In other words, regardless of their record, the common goal of raising the PCL plaque remains equally alive for six teams.

For the fans, it never gets more thrilling than a one-game elimination tournament. But they'll need to remain patient. Because of steady rainstorms making the fields unsafe and unplayable, the quarterfinals. have been moved to May 15.

This particular postseason offers an anomaly. For the first time this century, neither Archbishop Ryan nor Archbishop Carroll made the final cut. Instead, traditionally successful programs such as St. Hubert’s (two years) and Bonner-Prendergast (three years) have returned to the playoff party after a rare hiatus.

At the 80-percent mark of the regular season, five of the six finalists had been established, albeit without definitive seeding.

After winning three of their last four by a collective 20 to 3, the six-seed Bambies (5-5 record) will visit three-seed Nazareth Academy in the quarterfinals Tuesday at 3:45.

Representing an old-school pitcher’s duel back on April 29, Nazareth edged St. Hubert’s, 1-0, in eight innings. Senior pitcher Jill DiMario’s dominant hurling (four hits, no walks, eight strikeouts) and a two-out, walk-off single by junior Brea Logan (three of Nazareth’s four hits) that scored sophomore Alaira Rios (one-out infield single) proved to be the difference.

“I definitely think the ‘new season’ gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves even more and build our program,” said DiMario. “We saw tough competition in every team we have faced in the regular season, so we are still working hard and ready for the challenge each game will bring in playoffs.

“I think that our regular season has played a crucial role in going to the playoffs. Facing this tougher competition early in the season will really prepare us and help us.”

“You have to take your experience from the regular season as a roadmap to something bigger. It provides all teams the opportunity to make adjustments, learn from the highs and lows, and take it to the next level. We know we are in for a tough road to get to where we really want to be.

“We have adjustments to make," Vititto added. "Growth has been made from day one, and we are proud of our girls. We will continue to take it one game at a time, one pitch at a time, and see where the rest of the season takes us against some very stiff competition.” 

In the other Tuesday 3:45 quarterfinal, four-seed Bonner-Prendergast will host five-seed Archbishop Wood and try to emulate their 6-2 victory at Wood back on April 10 when four different players knocked in a run behind junior pitcher Julia Brown.

After a 1-2 start, the Pandas won six of their last seven. Before losing to Conwell-Egan on May 8, Bonner-Prendergast (7-3) had won five straight while outscoring the opposition, 38-7.

Prendergast’s opponent, Archbishop Wood, struggled in season-ending losses to Conwell-Egan and Cardinal O’Hara, but prior, the Vikings had won five straight by a composite 55 to 9.

In their top performance of the season on May 1, an 11-0 win at Archbishop Carroll, the Vikings slugged 13 hits with four players contributing multiple RBI. Junior pitcher Jackie Cobb allowed only two hits and two walks, and the Wood defense performed flawlessly.

“I don’t believe the regular season takes a back seat, as every game we learned something about our team and need to build on that,” said Wood coach Jackie Ecker. “The girls worked hard to get into the playoffs after a rocky start.

“I think you will see some really good softball being played in the PCL playoffs. We are looking forward to facing these teams again.”

Wood senior Maya McGrory, who as a freshman scored the game-winning run in the Vikings’ 2022 championship victory over Conwell-Egan, recognizes the moment at hand.

“I've really tried to enjoy every moment of every game and practice,” said McGrory. “Obviously, it’s tough to stay positive after a bad game or if I'm not doing too well during practice, but my teammates have done a great job at picking me up and keeping me positive.

“Every game, whether it’s the PCL or not, we have taken it super seriously, but with playoffs coming up, we really have to stay focused and play our game. This season has been very up and down for us as a team. We are a very solid team if we all work together and stay focused.”

Conwell-Egan senior Egan Amariah McKnight echoed her coach.

“Going into the post season, our main goal is to stay focused and take one game at a time,” said McKnight, who will play at Thomas Jefferson University. “Not looking too ahead in our schedule has kept us humble and present in each game.

“Our momentum is based on our discipline and drive to keep playing. We want to keep playing throughout June and be the last team on the field.”

In second place, Cardinal O’Hara (9-1) outscored the five playoff teams by 31-5, with shutouts over Bonner-Prendergast and Archbishop Wood. Lions’ only loss, 2-0 at Conwell-Egan on April 24, portended a possible championship final.

Along with reaching 604 career strikeouts during a 12-0 victory at Archbishop Wood on May 8, O’Hara senior pitcher Hayden Sissons shut out five PCL opponents and, in 10 PCL games, surrendered a ridiculous seven earned runs.

Despite a thrilling 5-4, walk-off home run by Dakotah Jones – the 27th of her career for the East Stroudsburg-bound senior – that stunned Nazareth Academy on May 7, Archbishop Carroll was unable to ride the momentum the next day in a crushing 4-1 loss at St. Hubert’s.

For the first time since 2016 when they went 5-7, the Patriots (4-6) were unable to secure a winning record. 

“At the time that we were in the championship games, I never realized how big an accomplishment that was until it was all over. I would never take anything from my four years for granted.”

A record of 2-8 might not ignite excitement, but in the case of Little Flower, every player returns after seizing two of their last four games, highlighted by a 3-2 win over visiting Lansdale Catholic on April 28 behind strong pitching by sophomore Molly Pawlowski.

“Only having 12 girls who were all freshmen and sophomores was a struggle,” said Little Flower coach Tori Sherwood. “They lacked in experience in the PCL and had to learn very quickly what the coaches’ expectations were with no upperclassmen leadership.

“Moving forward, I see this group of girls growing and building a foundation for the program. They already have good team chemistry, and I only see them getting stronger in the future. Our sophomores stepped up big-time this year, some of them who barely played last year. Having a young team hurt us at times throughout the season, but I think it will pay off in the next few years.”

“Although it wasn’t exactly the season we hoped for, it meant a lot to me that we ended the season on a high note and competed until the end. I think it set a good example for the younger girls to keep showing up and fighting no matter what. As the season went on, my team realized that we probably weren’t going to make it too far this year, so we focused on having fun and getting the younger girls turns to get in the game so we can keep building our program.”

Neumann-Goretti wasn’t able to notch a victory, but the Saints came oh-so-close on May 7 in a 9-8 loss at Little Flower.