North Penn softball team played with pride
‘13 squad was one to remember
The 2013 North Penn softball team overcame tremendous odds to make the state’s final four that season.
“I wish we could have ended our season with one more win at Penn State. I wish we could have added one more great experience for our seniors,” center fielder Erin Maher would say. “But looking back, the only word I can think of is proud. We have to look back at all the great things that we did this season to get here.”
The Knights go against 2014 Lansdale Catholic this week in the Softball Team of the Decade Tournament Semifinals.
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Polls to vote on each of the tournament matchups are posted on Twitter @ReporterSports.
In 2013, North Penn came all the way from the No. 13 seed in District One to qualify for states for the second straight time.
Wins over Garnet Valley, Central Bucks South and Pennridge marked a successful run through districts, followed by impressive shutout victories over Northampton and Central Bucks East in the PIAA Class 4A Tournament.
The Maidens (now the Knights), who fell 2-0 to Neshaminy in the district semis, got the bats going
ing against the Skins in the state semis but just fell a couple runs short.
“This team doesn’t back down,” North Penn coach Rick Torresani said of his team. “We came on late, gave it everything we had. That’s why I’m proud of these kids. They gave it everything they had.”
Defense got it done again that year for NP. A diving grab at second by senior Michelle Holweger stood out in a defensive battle.
The 2013 squad for North Penn would pave the way for another tremendous season in 2014.
North Penn returned
five of its nine starters from the ‘13 squad, including its ace, Jackie Bilotti, catcher Becky Christoffers, first baseman Vicky Tumasz, third baseman Meghan Curley and Maher out in center.
North Penn captured three state titles back in 1985, ‘81 and ‘76. A 27-year absence from the state playoffs followed, but then Torresani and his group broke through in 2012.
NP reached the first round of the tournament in 2012 before reaching the semis in 2013.
“My freshman year, we made it to the (quarterfinal round) of districts and we’re just progressively getting better,” Maher would say. “It feels great to be part of that, that change in the program.”