Schoenewald powers C.B. East to victory
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Caroline Schoenewald was pretty clear about how big a game Friday's softball matchup against North Penn was.
The second baseman for Central Bucks East knew the energy would be different against a team such as the Maidens, a perennial favorite in the Suburban One League's Continental Conference. Her squad would have to be at the top of its game, Schoenewald said.
It just so happens that on Friday afternoon, the Patriots were on top of their game and then some.
So was Schoenewald, who had a hand in seven of the Patriots' runs as East defeated the Maidens in a conference showdown, 11-3, at North Penn.
"We have so much potential, it is scary to think about," Schoenewald said.
The game was close for the first few innings, the complexion changing depending on the team at the plate. For a while, it seemed as if every time East (5-1 overall, 2-1 conference) scored at the top of the inning, the Maidens (2-2, 1-2) answered, keeping both squads on their toes.
"With a one- or two-run lead, it is definitely nerve-racking because I feel a sense of urgency with needing to get outs," East pitcher Jayme Ziegler said.
It wasn't until the fifth inning that the Patriots gained significant momentum, as Schoenewald went deep.
"I haven't been doing too well lately. so that was really nice to come out [like that], especially against North Penn," Schoenewald said.
Schoenewald hit another home run in her next at-bat, finishing 5 for 5 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Afterward, she called the game a "landmark" win.
Ziegler gave up only four hits, forcing seven groundouts. The righthander had an especially tight command of her curveball, which she kept slightly out of the strike zone.
It was the second straight loss for the Maidens, who had fallen to Central Bucks South on Thursday.
"We'll rebound," Maidens coach Rick Torresani said. "It's not the team that's hot early. It's the team that's hot late."
Central Bucks East 0112124 - 11144
North Penn 0021000 - 344
WP: Jayme Ziegler. LP: Jackie Bilotti. 2B: NP-Alexa Gable. HR: CBE-Caroline Schoenewald 2.
Contact Kate Harman at rallysports@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @ka_harman.
