West Chester East falls to Marple-Newtown in District 1 5A softball finals
By Bill Rudickbrudick55@gmail.com
ROYERSFORD >> After the Vikings started off this season 1-3, it looked like it might be another rebuilding year for West Chester East. It’s likely no one outside West Goshen had any idea what was to come, certainly not a return to the District 1, 5A championship game since winning back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2021. (2020 was cancelled by the pandemic)
Slowly, but surely, the Vikings kept improving, winning 14 of their next 18 games to land themselves back in the title game, where they squared off against third-seeded Marple-Newtown on Wednesday.
The Tigers proved to be worthy of their slot in the championship game, holding off a late push from the Vikings to take a 4-2 victory and the championship. It was the first time since PIAA softball went to six divisions in 2016 that a team from the Ches-Mont failed to take home the 5A trophy.
“We didn’t play our best softball at the time it mattered most,” said East coach Bobby Swier. “The biggest frustration is not getting the little things done that we emphasize in practice. We kind of beat ourselves today, but we’ll just get back to work tomorrow and get ready for states next week.”
Trailing 1-0 after one inning, East got themselves on the board in the second when Mia Picciotti doubled home Daria Cross (2-for-3, double, run scored, RBI). Cross figured in on the next Vikings score in the fourth, doubling in Emma Antczak to cut the Marple lead to 3-2.
After the Tigers added a run in the fifth to make it a 4-2 game, the Vikings made one last push, an effort thwarted by an outstanding defensive play. Lauren Maguire led off the inning in a big way, ripping a double to the gap in left center, giving the Vikings a runner in scoring position with the top of their order coming up.
With one out, Grace Koberg came to the plate, and hit a line shot up the middle that looked like it could be enough to score Maguire. But Marple second baseman Mia D’Allessandro dove, stabbing it out of the air for one out, then tossed to second to catch Maguire off the bag for a game-ending double play.
“This is a team full of fighters,” said Swier.”We are confident that anyone in this line-up could be the spark to get us going at anytime. We didn’t fully execute the plan, but I’m sure we’ll be ready to go again Monday.”
Everything starts fresh Monday, when the Vikings will start to make their run for a state championship against the District 11 champs, Whitehall (12-10).
“We have a lot of underclassmen, but everyone believes in this program, and we always expect to be in the post season mix” said Swier. “Our seniors were here the last time we won districts, and have been able to bring that excitement, and instill in their teammates the value of playing your best ball in May and June. I’m excited for the opportunity this team has in from of them, and look forward to sending the seniors out on a high note.”
Marple-Newtown 4 West Chester East 2West Chester East 0 1 0 1 0 0 0—2Marple-Newtown 1 0 2 0 1 0 X—4WP—Coupe LP—Opperman2B—O’Keefe, Cross, Picciotti
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