Warriors aiming for playoff Knoch-out

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Harry Rutherford and the Elizabeth Forward softball team have been waiting for this day for nearly two years. 

The Warriors have an opportunity today to play postseason softball and potentially come one win closer to playing for a WPIAL Class 4A championship. 

In 2019, EF won its first WPIAL title in program history and appeared in the PIAA championship game at Penn State University. The 2020 campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, with some unfinished business to take care of, Rutherford’s group is ready to go.  

“I think they have it in their minds what they want to accomplish,” the veteran coach said. “They can’t look too far ahead, though. They have to focus on Knoch first.” 

After earning a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A tournament, Elizabeth Forward is set to open postseason play this evening with a 5 p.m. quarterfinal matchup against No. 8 Knoch at Plum High School. The Knights (10-7) are coming off a 4-1 victory over Central Valley in the first round Wednesday. 

To prepare for the quarterfinals, the Warriors (15-2) played three exhibition games this week against Thomas Jefferson, Norwin and Canon-McMillan. 

“Knoch is a good squad that can hit the ball,” Rutherford said. “We know their pitcher is pretty effective, too, so we just have to be able to square her up and hit the ball hard.”

Knoch has utilized a few different pitchers this season, including Bailey Rickenbrode, who allowed just five hits in the win against Central Valley. 

Rutherford said he has seen the senior show dominance with a drop-curve and a rise screwball, pitches the Warriors anticipate seeing often. 

“We’ve been prepping for her to throw those pitches and we’ve been prepping knowing that she likes to work inside-outside,” Rutherford said. “I think we’ll be prepared if that’s who we see. If not, we’ll make a quick adjustment and go from there.” 

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