SHILLINGTON — Behind two home runs from Caitlin Ashley, the Spring-Ford Rams defeated the Penn Manor Comets 11-4 Thursday to advance to the PIAA Class 6A softball semifinals.
Ashley was instrumental in the Rams’ victory, sealing the deal in the bottom of the sixth with a grand slam for the final scoring play of the game.
Spring-Ford, the fourth seed out of District One, had a huge second inning, scoring six times unanswered. On top of a home run from Ashley, Ellie Jarrel hit a triple to send three of her teammates home. The Rams entered the fourth inning with a 6-0 lead.
The District Three champion Comets got on the board with three runs in the fourth in an attempt to close the gap, moving the score to 6-3. Penn Manor got its second home run of the game in the fifth inning from Emily Riggs to cut the deficit to 6-4.
For the second time in the game, the ball hit the top of the fence and bounced into home run territory.
But the Comets, who finished the season with a mark of 25-3, would get no closer.
Penn Manor vs. Spring-Ford - PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals [photos]
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Bria Booth, left, makes a throw to Regan Soboleski at first base in the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Spring-Ford softball head coach Tim Hughes congratulates Caitlyn Ashly as she rounds third base, after hitting a grand slam in the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Julie Bowmaster hits a 2 rbi double in the 4th inning of the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game, against Spring-Ford, at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Amelia Trout hits a single in the first inning of the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Audrey Paterson catches a fly ball in the outfield during the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Regan Soboleski hits a single in the sixth inning of the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Emily Riggs gets hugs from her teammates after hitting a home run in the 5th inning of the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford, at Governor Mifflin High School, in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Emily Riggs hits a home run in the 5th inning of the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Emily Riggs pitches in the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's starting pitcher Julie Bowmaster throws a pitch in the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Bria Booth makes a throw to first base in the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Penn Manor Softball
Penn Manor's Bria Booth catches in infield fly ball in the PIAA Class 6A softball quarterfinals game against Spring-Ford at Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Jarrel singled in the bottom of the sixth to spark another scoring run for the Rams, scoring teammate Riley Gancaszto. Courtesy of Ashley’s follow-up grand slam to close out the sixth inning, the Comets entered the seventh down 11-4 and were unable to recover, scoring no runs in the final inning.
The Rams (22-2) will face District One champion North Penn, a 10-0 victor in six innings over Williamsport on Thursday, in Monday’s semifinal round.
