1 day Ago By Matt Smith
RIDLEY TWP. – The ping of the bat echoed loud and often, seemingly whenever a Haverford hitter stepped to the plate Wednesday afternoon. It was one of those games where the hits just wouldn’t stop .
.. and Ridley probably wished they would.
Maybe it was the dreary, bone-chilling early April weather that sparked the Fords’ bats to life or maybe they just decided to take out their frustrations on the softball. Either way, the result was an offensive onslaught, as Haverford racked up 20 hits, including home runs from pitcher Ali Daly and third baseman Natalie Tassoni, en route to an 18-7 Central League drubbing of the Green Raiders. Daly’s first “home run” was, if we’re being technical, a single plus three bases on a fielding adventure in the outfield.
But she left no doubt on her next trip, launching a moonshot over the short (and very conveniently placed) left-field mesh fence to tie the game at 4-4. That bomb set the stage for a seven-run third inning for the Fords that effectively put the game out of reach. For Tassoni, the moment was even sweeter.
A hard-working role player throughout her high school career, she got the start at third base, slotted into the nine-hole, and made the most of it. In her final at-bat, she crushed a three-run blast in the fifth inning, a no-doubt statement shot to cap off Haverford’s relentless scoring barrage. “After striking out twice I was like, all right, now I just have to go up there and swing the bat no matter what,” Tassoni said.
“And it felt good to hit that ball.” Tassoni emphasized that she’s embracing every opportunity. She’s simply thrilled to step up and make an impact whenever her number is called.
“It definitely felt good coming off the bat, and it tells me what I can do in the box,” Tassoni said. Tassoni is one of just a handful of seniors on a revamped Haverford squad, joining first baseman Lexie Vesco – who scored twice – as the team’s veteran leaders. The Fords graduated several key starters from last year’s Central League championship team, including 2024 Daily Times Player of the Year Lucy Wolfe, now pitching at Ursinus College.
The program also saw a change at the helm, with first-year head coach Rick Carsley taking the job after longtime coach Bob Newman retired following last season. With so many positions up for grabs, the junior Daly has been steady in the circle for the Fords, minus one rough inning. That came in the first when Ridley (3-5) sent nine batters to the plate, stringing together six hits to put up four runs.
Sydney Senkow led off with a double and came around to score on an RBI single from Carly McCarron. Addison Najmola and McKenzie Sheppleman each lifted sacrifice flies, helping the Green Raiders erase the 3-0 lead Haverford (5-3) had built in the top of the inning, courtesy of Daly’s inside-the-parker and an RBI double from Ryan Cappello. Daly threw the first four innings, scattering five runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out a pair.
“They were really big shoes to fill, and I miss Lucy a lot,” Daly said. “But it’s great. I feel like I’ve been really trying to work on my intensity a lot, and I’ve had a lot of opportunities to do that.
I’ve been working on my movement a lot. We’re winning and it’s been really fun.” Mya Hubley went 3-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and three runs scored from the leadoff spot.
Two-hole hitter Lucy Ardizzi wasn’t far behind, going 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs, while Daly helped her cause with three hits. In the cleanup spot, Breanna Carfrey racked up three hits, including a triple, and crossed the plate three times. Cappello was 4-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
Kelly Swindler chipped in with a single and two runs, and Brooke O’Donnell contributed a single and a double to the Fords’ hit parade. To sum it up: Haverford put bat to ball ..
. a lot. McCarron, Lilly Walsh and Maddie Minkin all had two hits for the Green Raiders.
In other Central League games Wednesday: Springfield 10, Harriton 0 >> Payton Feeney (15 K’s) threw a five-inning no-hitter and helped herself at the dish with a homer, double and five RBIs. Kylie Mullan went 3-for-3 with a double, triple and three runs scored for the Cougars. Kayla Frye and Maggie Poiesz both went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored.
Marple Newtown 16, Strath Haven 0 >> Kirsten Adams belted a grand slam and scored three runs as the Tigers (6-0) crushed the Panthers in four innings. Nicole Semerjian had a hit and two RBIs and winning pitcher Ally Snyder struck out nine. Garnet Valley 23, Lower Merion 4 >> Eight Jaguars collected at least two hits, including Zoey Rogers, who went 2-for-3 with a homer, two walks, four runs scored and five RBIs.
Alaina Sareyka and Maddie Mendoza each had three hits and two ribbies. Conestoga 11, Upper Darby 1 >> Drew McKenzie paced the Pioneers’ bats with three hits, including a triple, while winning pitcher Kiera Norton (10 K’s) finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Caralyn Battersby smacked a double for the Royals.
In the Catholic League: Cardinal O’Hara 2, Bonner & Prendergast 0 >> Hayden Sissons reached 500 career strikeouts Tuesday, fanning 15 on the way to a one-hit shutout of the Pandas. Sissons had a no-hitter brewing until Emily Riehl doubled with two outs in the sixth. Avery Groh had an RBI double for the Lions (3-1).
Julia Brown was fantastic in the circle for the Pandas, recording 13 strikeouts while allowing only three hits. In the Ches-Mont League: Great Valley 4, Sun Valley 1 >> Jordyn Skarren struck out seven in the losing effort. Keira Wilkerson, Abby Moran, Mia Kelly and Carly Hess all had a hit for the Vanguards.
.
