Softball: Drought ends as Archbishop Wood claims first PCL title since 1999

Neither side did much wrong on a pleasant Monday afternoon and both showed they deserved to be where they were.

Both made big plays when they had to and both fought for every advantage until things were finally decided in the bottom of the seventh inning when Archbishop Wood junior standout Dakota Fanelli smoked a line drive to right field that enabled pinch-runner Maya McGrory to race home with the winning run in a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Vikings over Conwell-Egan in the Philadelphia Catholic League softball title game at beautiful Bruder Field on the campus of Neumann University.

And, when McGrory touched home plate, it set off a celebration 23 years in the making as the Vikings began celebrating their first PCL softball title since 1999.

"We started thinking about winning this after we lost our last game last year," said Fanelli, who also picked up the pitching win.

"We knew we had the talent to do it and we knew that we had to work hard in order to win it and that's what we were able to do. It's just an incredible feeling."

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Vikings head coach Jackie Ecker had a similar feeling.

"We talked about it at the start of the season," Ecker said. "And, even after we started 1-2 in the Catholic League we knew what we were capable of doing and they went out and did it."

The winning run was set up thanks to some nifty baserunning by Abby Windish and Maura Yoos. Windish led off the seventh with a line single to left and was chased to second by a sacrifice bunt by Yoos.

However, a second of hesitation by the Eagles' infield enabled Yoos to beat the throw to first while Windish never stopped running. She drew a throw to third, which she beat, and while that was happening, Yoos smartly moved to second.

Veteran Conwell-Egan head coach Sandy Hart decided to intentionally walk Parker Kraus to load the bases with no outs and set up a force anywhere. But, Fanelli delivered with her fly to right to end the proceedings.

"That's what we had to do there, but give Wood a lot of credit," Hart said. "They can really hit the ball and played very well.

"We didn't execute with the bats or the gloves like we needed to and that hurt us."

Fanelli wasn't surprised by the move or too concerned about it, either.

"That's what they had to do (load the bases) and I knew even if I made an out, my teammates would pick me up and we'd get the run in," Fanelli said. "I have total faith in everybody on this team."

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What it means

The win gave the Vikings their first PCL softball title since 1999 and made them 2-0 against the Eagles this season. (Wood beat Conwell-Egan 6-5 in eight innings during the regular season).

Key play

There were several, but Windish and Yoos running the bases like they did in the bottom of the seventh forced the Eagles' hand.

By the numbers

The Vikings didn't go ahead until McGrory scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Conwell-Egan led 1-0 after one inning and 2-1 after four innings before the Vikings tied things up in the bottom of the fifth.

It was the second-straight PCL title game appearance for the Eagles who were looking for their first championship since 2007.

What's next?

The Eagles will begin play in the PIAA District 12 Class 2A tournament on June 1 while the Vikings will start Class 4A tournament play the same day.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Archbishop Wood edges Conwell-Egan for PCL softball championship.