Birthday girl lifts Springfield (D)

When you are a high school softball player and your birthday falls in the second week of April, you get accustomed to playing games instead of opening presents after the final school bell rings.

For Alexa Naughton, a Springfield (Delco) senior who turned 18 on Wednesday, the game she played turned out to be better than anything gift-wrapped.

The first baseman went 2 for 3 at the plate with a triple, a double, a walk, and five RBIs, helping the visiting Cougars defeat Central League opponent Radnor, 9-4.

"First, I just look for my pitch," said Naughton, who thinks of herself as an aggressive batter. "Even when there are two strikes, I look for my pitch."

Both squads jumped on the opposing pitchers early, with each side scoring three runs in the first inning. The Cougars added a run in the following inning, then settled down defensively.

"The first inning was crazy, but after that, I feel like everything settled down," Springfield sophomore pitcher Courtney Scarpato said.

A huge play in the field for the Cougars came in the fourth inning, when Mary Kate Caggiano corralled the ball in right field, throwing it in to Tori DiPietro, who relayed it to Taylor Winkelman for the tag at third base.

Springfield (4-2, 3-1 Central) never gave up the lead, scoring three crucial runs in the fifth - all on a bases-clearing double by Naughton.

On the mound, Scarpato struck out five, gave up six hits, and forced nine groundouts.

"I like the way Courtney settled in. She didn't get rattled," Springfield coach Todd Odgers said.

"I love the way we played today," Odgers added. "We were intense."

The Red Raiders (5-1, 4-1) will have a chance to bounce back when they host Haverford High on Thursday in another important Central League game.

As for Naughton, she will have to wait for the weekend to celebrate her birthday; the Cougars are back in action at home Thursday for a high-stakes league matchup with Conestoga.

So far, being 18 certainly has agreed with her.

Springfield (D) 310 030 2 - 9 9 4

Radnor 300 010 0 - 4 6 3

WP: Courtney Scarpato. LP: Izzy Schaefer. 2B: S-Alexa Naughton. 3B: S-Naughton; R-Becky Maz, Ali Birtwistle.