(PHOTOS BY ZAMANI FEELINGS)

BY JEREMY GOODE

PHILA.-- First came the ball toss in the air. Then the glove. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's shortstop Morgan Risynchok had just tagged out William Penn Charter’s Elaina Nicolucci as she attempted to steal third, to win their second consecutive PAISAA championship.

On Fri., May 23, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCHA) rallied late to defeat Penn Charter in the 2025 PAISAA Softball Championship, 2-1 at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

The title is SCHA’s fourth since PAISAA’s inaugural season in 2011, and third in the last four years.

An end of regular season loss by SCHA to Episcopal Academy had allowed Episcopal to clinch the Inter-Ac championship for the third consecutive year; the fourth, if including a shared title with SCHA.  After finishing third in the Inter-Ac behind Penn Charter and Episcopal, however, SCHA regrouped and would not lose again to finish the season.

“We knew when the  Episcopal game did not go our way, we were focused on PAISAA,” SCHA head coach Stephanie Mill said. “We knew we could get it done here if everything came together.”

They would.

SCHA buzzed through their quarterfinal matchup against Westtown, shutting them out 3-0. After facing Inter-Ac rival Baldwin in the semi-finals, they won 3-1. During their tournament run, SCHA outscored their opponents 8-2.

What remained consistent for SCHA all season, and especially in postseason play, was pitching. Led by sophomore pitcher Samantha Snyder, SCHA had a system in place to win games. Score some runs, and have Snyder go the distance in the circle. Every outing, she delivered.

Which SCHA very much needed. Pitching usually trumps all in softball. If they have an ace, teams are far better off. They can pitch the entire game and hold off the other team’s bats, even the best offenses. And in softball, the underhand pitching motion allows pitchers to throw often, including in back-to-back games within a few days.

Good luck to everyone facing Snyder.

And with Snyder’s consistent dominance at pitching, SCHA, which has a strong lineup and several good bats, just had to do enough at the plate. They were able to ride this formula throughout PAISAA and ultimately were rewarded for as they repeated as state champions.

“She has been an absolute dog all season,”  Risynchok said. “She does not give herself enough credit. She has a lot ahead of her.”

With two state championships under her belt, and after earning Inter-Ac MVP for the 2025 season, it is remarkable to think about the next two years of high school softball she is to play for SCHA.

But for now, Snyder and the 2025 team will live in the moment.

And SCHA needed late heroics to repeat as state champions and beat Penn Charter.

Both teams were able to send their ace to the circle. Penn Charter’s Ryan Hatty, a Niagara commit, started off throwing five scoreless innings while holding onto a 1-0 led.

Penn Charter scored early, as Hatty singled the other way through the left side with two outs to score Ellie McKernan. That would be the lone run Penn Charter scored. 

SCHA threatened in the bottom of the first inning but was unable to score.

And then, Hatty took over for the next four innings, frustrating SCHA hitters as Penn Charter held on to their one run lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.

While the top of SCHA’s lineup had delivered all year offensively, it would be the bottom of the lineup that answered the call this day. With two outs and the bases loaded, Callan Curry hit a line drive single to right field that Emma Caton and Snyder scored on.

“People were on base, and I just needed to do my part for the team,” Curry said. “I needed to win it for the team. I needed to win it for the seniors. For Sami, our MVP. I was really nervous, but I knew my team had my back.”

Better late than never. The first runs for SCHA produced the first lead for SCHA. It stayed that way.

For Mill, she credits the team’s well-rounded talent to deliver in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“Nearly my entire team lived through PAISAA last year, and I feel like we have the game experience and the depth to be the difference between us other teams,” Mill said. “We have a more balanced lineup than other teams that we face and gives us a bit of an edge."

Penn Charter fought until the end. With runners on first and second and two outs, McKernan stepped to the plate. Wanting to put the lead run on second, Penn Charter head coach called for a double steal on the first pitch, while McKernan acted as if she was bunting. SCHA’s third baseman Caton charged at the plate, and Risynchok at shortstop moved to cover third and make the tag from the throw from SCHA’s catcher, Sarah Scally.

On a close play at third base, Nicolucci was called out to end the game, giving SCHA back-to-back PAISAA championships.

“Sam threw a dart; it’s exactly where I wanted to be, I didn’t even have to move for the ball,” Risynchok said. “It was just bang-bang perfect. Everything after that was just a blur.”

SCHA had a great year and won a lot of games. Part of the reason is because the team does not get rattled, according to Mill. They can trail early on, late in games. It does not faze them. They are a well-rounded team that is hard to beat, especially when they get seven innings to bat.

The results show.

“It is the first time we have won [states] back-to-back,” Mill said. “They don’t get rattled if they get behind by a run or two because this team knows that they always have the potential to make something happen. I’m proud of these girls that they showed resilience in not giving up and kept battling.”

Besides her game winning hit, Curry is proud of the players for finishing the best way they could. They put a lot into the season, and she was pleased to see them rewarded for their state championship level play.

 “I’m so excited, we’ve been working since January and have been working so hard for this,” Curry said. “Hopefully, our team will get more recognition throughout the school and we’ll just be able to grow the program.”