Conwell-Egan takes on Neshannock for state title

And then there was one. The last hope from the area to win a state softball title this year, ConwellEgan will take on Neshannock Friday morning at 11 a.m. in the PIAA Class 2A championship game at Penn State University.

A look at the records might suggest Sandy Hart’s Eagles are a decided underdog. Conwell-Egan goes into the game with a 13-9 record while Neshannock, which is located 40 miles northwest of Pittsburgh and near the Ohio state border, is undefeated at 25-0.

Keep in mind, however, Conwell-Egan plays a rugged schedule that includes virtually no Class 2A schools during the regular season. Among the teams to beat the Fairless Hills team this year were area powers Pennsbury, Notre Dame and Villa Joseph Marie.

The first Philadelphia Catholic League team to play in a state final since the PCL joined the PIAA in 2008, Conwell-Egan is led by junior Katey Brennan.

The PCL Player of the Year, Brennan is an outstanding center fielder who has made some spectacular catches this year. Brennan is also tremendous at the plate. She goes into this game with a .573 average, 17 doubles, eight home runs and 41 RBIs.

Another big stick for Conwell-Egan is senior catcher Ange Bresnan, who is hitting .442 with 10 doubles and does an excellent job working with No. 1 pitcher Ahlana Sesar.

Neshannock is a very strong offensive team led by the Neleh and Aaralyn Nogay in the top two spots in the order.

In three playoff games, Neleh Nogay is 7-for-12 with three doubles, a triple and eight RBIs. Aarlayn Nogay is 7-for-12 with a double,

three triples, a home run and six RBIs.

The Lancers’ pitcher is freshman Addy Frye, who has given up two earned runs in 19 innings of state play while striking out 20 and walking just three.

While Conwell-Egan has made the playoffs every

year since 2012, this is the first time it has advanced past the quarterfinal round.

Neshannock, by contrast, has a 12-3 all-time state tournament record. The Lancers were the Class 2A champion in 2012 and the runner-up in 2013.

KYLE FRANKO — TRENTONIAN PHOTO Conwell-Egan’s Cassidy Blaskop makes contact with the ball against Williams Valley during a PIAA Class 2A first round game in Fairless Hills, Pa.