Norwin softball loses to Baldwin, denied spot in PIAA playoffs again

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | 7:00 PM

Baldwin's softball battery had been preparing for the school's annual chorus concert Tuesday night but remained focused on the WPIAL playoffs during the afternoon to lead the Fighting Highlanders into the PIAA playoffs for the second time in three years.

Catcher Carly Santillo had three hits and two RBIs, and right-hander Addy Tagg pitched Baldwin into the state's Class 6A field with 7-1 victory in the WPIAL third-place consolation game at Peters Township, eliminating Norwin and extending the Knights' futility in PIAA qualifying games.

Baldwin (12-5) will open the PIAA playoffs Monday at a site to be determined against the winner of a sub-regional game between District 6 champion Mifflin County and District 10 champion McDowell.

“It's a great feeling because we didn't make it to states last year,” said Tagg, a junior, who scattered nine hits and gave up just one run, Alex Brentzel's sixth-inning home run.

Norwin wasted multiple scoring opportunities, stranding eight, including two in the fifth inning while trailing 3-0, and three in the seventh.

Baldwin, which left on 10 runners, scored single runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings before erupting for four runs in the sixth on four hits, including a pair of two-run singles by Santillo and Chey Shandor.

Norwin (12-8) has won just three playoff games in the WPIAL in 20 years — two this season — and has not reached the PIAA playoffs during that span.

“We're making progress,” Norwin coach Brian Mesich said. “We've laid the foundation over the last couple of years. We had a pretty good year this year, but we really didn't play well today.

“Give (Tagg) credit because she kept us off balance and defended the circle all afternoon. We didn't field the ball as cleanly as we should have, and that hurt us overall.”

Baldwin was flawless on defense, backing the strong pitching of Tagg, who struck out three and did not walk anyone. She retired nine of Norwin's first 10 batters.

“She's been very consistent for us the past three years,” Baldwin coach Vince Sortino said. “She has good location on her pitches, good control, and we play good defense. Addy is a ground-ball pitcher, and that defense really works well with that. If we do those things, we can play with anyone.”

Soon after the Fighting Highlanders wrapped up a spot in the PIAA playoffs, Tagg was eager to get ready for the school concert. She was soaked in sweat from a hot afternoon at Peterswood Park.

“It was worth it,” she said. “My seniors weren't ready to be done, and I did what I could to help us keep playing.”

Tagg sings an alto pitch, and Santillo, one of those seniors, is a soprano. And while they had planned on bellowing out the notes later, the two have been a team that works well together on the softball field.

Tagg and Salena Jaquay added two hits apiece for Baldwin, which finished first in Section 1-6A with a 10-2 record.

Megan Miller and Shae Gillham had two hits each to lead Norwin, the third-place team from Section 2, where the Knights were 7-3.

“Each year, we seem to add a few new pieces,” Mesich said. “We're going to lose four seniors, but we have a nice group returning, so we're going to come back and try to take another step forward next year.”

Dave Mackall is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin, Norwin