Rappa’s homer highlights Pennsville’s fast start, but District 3 senior softball opener suspended in first inning; play resumes Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
FRANKLINVILLE – Imagine driving an hour to play a game, getting 14 pitches and four productive at bats, then having the bottom fall out and calling it a night.
That’s what happened to the Pennsville senior softball stars Tuesday night in their District 3 tournament opener at Franklin Twp.
Pennsville opened a 3-0 lead with its first four batters before their game was suspended with one out in the top of the first due to weather. Forecasts called for rain well into the night. The game will pick up at that point whenever it resumes.
District officials announced late Tuesday evening the teams would reconvene in Franklinville Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. to resume play. If Pennsville hangs on to win Franklin Twp. would be eliminated and Pennsville’s home pool play game with Elmer Thursday becomes a 5:45 doubleheader for the district championship.
“Everybody will tend to cancel pretty quickly,” Pennsville manager Chris Watson said. “The players and coaches wanted to play; we would’ve waited until 8 or 9 o’clock tonight to play that game. The girls were fired up. Each one of them wanted to be there and wanted to play, even if it was going to take all night.
“It’s in everybody’s interest to wrap this thing up by Thursday, including the district, because they want to send a strong team to sectionals and we need to wrap it up because sectionals (at Pennsville) start on Sunday.”
Nevertheless, it was a pleasant ride back for the Pennsville players, especially Bella Rappa. The rising Pennsville senior hit her first over-the-fence home run ever to highlight the abbreviated first inning.
Rappa had hit many balls off the top of the fence that bounced back into play before and did have an inside-the-park homer in last year’s regional tournament in Massachusetts, but the rising 0-1 pitch she hit to center Tuesday night was the first time an umpire waved his hand signaling her to touch ‘em all.
“I really didn’t think it was going to go over because it didn’t hit the full barrel of the bat,” Rappa said, “but it was kind of really cool when the umpire started waving his little finger around. To be able to trot the bases and know I just hit a solo home run was pretty cool.
“It’s always been on my mind like I would really like to hit a home run, but it’s not something I always strived for because we don’t always need it. I like to say small ball is more important than hitting the long ball. But it’s a nice feeling when you finally hit a long ball.”
One pitch to Bella Farina after Rappa brought the thunder, the umpires brought the teams off the field for lightning. Usually, it’s the other way around – the lightning, then thunder.
Pennsville came ready to play. Lilly Edwards led off with a single and scored on Kylie Harris’ double. Harris went to third on the throw to the plate and scored on Jess Bretz’ sacrifice fly. Rappa followed with her homer to make it 3-0.
Bella Farina came to the plate and drew a first-pitch ball before the Franklin Twp. coaches informed the umpires of lightning in the area and the game was halted.
“It was everything I would have hoped to start off a game,” Watson said.
“The whole team had really good energy,” Rappa said.
Three teams will come to Pennsville for the Section 4 tournament. The District 3 winner draws a first-round bye while the District 15 and 16 winners play. The Section winner also draws a first-round bye at the three-team state tournament.
District 3 12U LL Baseball
Some games did get played to completion Tuesday night. Millville American eliminated Elmer 4-2 and clinched the No. 2 seed in the American Division.
Salem and Buena, meanwhile, had their game suspended and they’ll resume Thursday at 8 p.m. in Buena. Before that, however, Salem will be out to keep its playoff chances alive with a 5:45 p.m. Wednesday home game against winless South Cumberland.
A Salem victory Wednesday would make that Thursday game with Buena for the No. 2 seed in the National Division. South Cumberland lost both of its first two games 15-0.
Pennsville and Elmer will play out their pool schedule Thursday 5:45 p.m. in Elmer.
So, the District 3 12U double-loss finals look like this:
Friday at Elmer
East Vineland vs. National No. 2 (Buena or Salem), 5:45 p.m.
South Vineland vs. Millville American, 8 p.m.
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