Yes, it was an early season showdown – in March, nonetheless – for these two softball programs.

It was also a bit of a tit-for-tat affair when it came to the pitching and hitting end of things.

To be sure, Marian’s superb junior Morgan Kelly, and Weatherly’s steady senior Maddy vonFrisch, were whizzing it by in the circle. But the most impressive part of their performances might have been what they did against each other when they were at the plate.

Not only did Kelly win out with her swings, but she also hurled her team to a 7-1 decision in this Schuylkill League Division III opener for both sides.

Kelly allowed five hits, struckout out 15 and issued three walks.

vonFrisch, who is headed to the college scene next spring, allowed nine hits, fanned 10 and walked three.

But it was all about the plate appearances. That is where Kelly was most impressive, as she swatted away she put together four perfect at bats and just missed hitting for the cycle.

Kelly went 4-for-4, belting a first-inning home run that put her team on top for good with two RBIs, while also singling twice and adding a triple.

“We know that it was going to be a challenge with Maddy vonFrisch, pitching ... and (manager) Will (Bartel) does a nice job with his team,” said Marian mentor Joe DeAngelo. “Morgan did her job. Being the first challenge of the season, you never know what to expect.”

vonFrisch surely is the head of the class for the Wreckers. She was certified good in all aspects, especially at the plate. vonFrisch had three of her team’s five base knocks, with three singles.

“The little things hurt us,” Bartel said. “I’m proud of our kids, but we need to do the little things right to compete with Marian.”

Kelly gave her team the comfort it needed in the home first, tagging a vonFrisch offering for a two-run homer to center field to strike up the rally that also produced a third Fillies’ run in the inning.

Julia Meiss’ RBI single drove in Gracie Gallagher who had singled, for a 3-0 lead.

Marian turned a nifty strikeout-throwout double play in the second when catcher Anna Grabosky tossed out a runner trying to steal second. Then the Fillies tacked on a fourth run in the home second on an Alise Heisey RBI single, to drive in Grabosky who also singled in the inning.

The 4-0 lead was cut into by the Wreckers in the top of the sixth. Kelly was mowing down the Weatherly would-be batters until the rally. vonFrisch slapped out her third hit with a single to lead off the top of the inning, stole two bases and rode home on Raynessa Paulino’s RBI single.

However, Marian put together its final three-run rally in the home half of the inning as Kelly completed her big day at the plate with a two-run triple that ignited the outburst.

Kelly then returned to the circle and promptly set down the Wreckers in order to open the league season in winning fashion.

“Morgan got us off to a good start with her bat,” DeAngelo said. “We had some hits early that kind of gave us a cushion.”

HITTERS

… The Wreckers also got hits from Kelly Michaels and Paulino. Adding salvos for the Fillies were Melina Letcher, Meiss, Gallagher and Heisey.

A LITTLE LEATHER

… Both teams made some nice plays in the field. Meiss, Marian’s rightfielder, was most impressive. Ditto for Weatherly’s second baseman Michaels.

QUOTEABLE

… “She’s a rightfielder, she knows how to play, that’s why we keep her there… she makes plays, we talked about that a lot.” DeAngelo said of Meiss’ performance.

Weatherly 000 001 0 – 1 5 0

Marian 310 003 X – 7 9 1

vonFrisch and Paulino; Kelly and Grabusky. W – Kelly L – vonFrisch.