Pennsbury returns to field with win over Bensalem
FAIRLESS HILLS, PA. >> It took nearly 660 days, but Pennsbury on Wednesday was finally able to get back to do doing what it has done more than any other school in the area for the last 40 or so years.
Win softball games. Taking on a capable Bensalem squad (2-1) that has two dynamite weapons in the Klein sisters, Megan and Jess, at the top of its lineup, Pennsbury was able to win its season opener with a 7-2 victory over the Owls.
That final score might sound like a routine enough sort of win, but it was anything but. After each team scored twice in the first inning, Bensalem looked like it might be on the verge of something big when it opened the top of the fifth with singles by Megan Klein, Jess Klein and Maddie Buechner.
It was here where the game dramatically turned in Pennsbury’s favor.
Reaching back much like she did when she won 18 games two years ago as a freshman, Falcon righty Ainsley McClure got out of the jam with a grounder to third, a strikeout and a fly ball to center.
Even better, from a Pennsbury perspective, this also seemed to ignite its offense as the Falcons took complete control with five runs in the bottom of the inning.
The uprising started when Bensalem pitcher Maggie Formichelli walked two batters and Rowan Mulholland beat out a bunt single. From there, Allie Charlier lifted a sac fly, Emma Hause had an RBI fielders’ choice and Cynthia Ehrenfeld stroked an RBI single. Jess Rowe then put a big exclamation on the explosion with a two-run bomb over the center field fence.
“It’s good to be back,” said Pennsbury coach Frank McSherry when asked about ending a 22-month layoff because of the pandemic. “The girls were biting at the bit to get out there and play. I think there were a little jitters at the start and Bensalem put even more pressure on us with the way they started the game (with two runs).
“Hey, those two girls at the top of their lineup can play. Bensalem is a tough team.”
Bensalem had eight hits in all, including three by No. 2 hitter Jess Klein, who follows her younger sister in the batting order. The problem for the Owls was they also struck out 11 times against McClure.
“We had our opportunities, but we need to improve our approach at the plate,” said Bensalem coach Dan Schram. “You can’t swing at (outside) pitches that you have no chance of hitting. I thought Maggie pitched a nice game for us, but we have to give her better (offensive) support.”
What was encouraging for Pennsbury was the way it got production from the bottom of the order. In addition to the homer by No. 8 batter Rowe, Hause and Ehrenfeld also collected two RBIs apiece in the sixth and seventh spots.
McClure also settled down nicely after the rough start, although truth be told the top of the first started with a line drive off the bat of Megan Klein that was misplayed for an error in the outfield. In that inning, Bensalem scored on a squeeze by Mackenzie Kramer and a wild pitch to take the very short-lived two-run lead.
While Bensalem certainly looks like a team with playoff potential and possibly more, Pennsbury will take on arch-rival Neshaminy at home Friday.
No matter what happens there, you couldn’t help but feel at least some sense or normalcy must be returning to the world when perennial powerhouse Pennsbury is once again playing — and winning — softball games.
Bensalem (2-1) 200 000 0 — 2 8 1 Pennsbury (1-0) 200 050 x — 7 6 1 WP-McClure. LP-Formichelli. 2B-Knowles (B), Riley (P). HR-Rowe (P). RBIs: B-Kramer. P-Charlier, Hause 2, Ehrenfeld 2, Rowe 2.