Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

EA shuts down Agnes Irwin

Alex Viscusi gets up on her toes and puts her heels back on the ground. With the softball in her right hand, the Episcopal Academy junior pitcher throws her shoulders back before getting back up on her toes again.

Episcopal Academy's Gabrielle Donatucci drives in their the team's 
run. (Charles Fox/Staff Photographer)
Episcopal Academy's Gabrielle Donatucci drives in their the team's run. (Charles Fox/Staff Photographer)Read more

Alex Viscusi gets up on her toes and puts her heels back on the ground.

With the softball in her right hand, the Episcopal Academy junior pitcher throws her shoulders back before getting back up on her toes again.

She swirls the ball around in her glove, which is in front of her midsection.

Then she releases the ball.

"I think in terms of a game, when I am walking up to the plate or on the mound, I am [superstitious]," Viscusi said after the Churchwomen defeated Agnes Irwin, 6-0, Wednesday in an Inter-Ac League matchup.

It is just a routine, nothing unique for pitchers who rely on rhythm.

But it is one that has become deadly for Viscusi, as she struck out 11 in a huge Inter-Ac battle.

It was the kind of performance she needed to give, with senior Katie Wenger pitching for the opposing Owls.

"She is one of the best pitchers in the league - best pitchers in the area - so going up against her, I know it is going to be a harder game," Viscusi said.

"She's also a very good hitter, so I know when she comes up to the plate it is going to be a battle, also."

While the pitching stood out, catcher Gabby Donatucci thought a turning point for Episcopal (11-1, 8-0) was a tremendous catch in foul territory by leftfielder Christina Pagano in the fourth inning.

"The way the team was playing the whole game behind me, I wasn't too worried about six runs being scored," Viscusi said.

And then there was the offense.

Episcopal received timely hits from Donatucci, who knocked in two runs, and Julianne Longen, who scored on a throwing error in the fifth.

With the season sweep of the Owls (8-2, 6-2) and five league games remaining, Episcopal controls its destiny, as the Churchwomen look to win their first league championship.

It is a title that Donatucci doesn't want to share.

"I'd be happy for a share - actually, not really," Donatucci said. "I'll say I'll be happy, but I won't."

"I think we can win it outright."

Agnes Irwin 000 000 0 - 0 5 0

Episcopal Academy 100 014 x - 6 7 1

WP: Alex Viscusi. LP: Katie Wenger.