Brandywine clinches softball division title with win over Kutztown [updated]

May 6—Even during the roughest of times early in the season, Berks County softball insiders figured Brandywine Heights would be a title contender by May.

The Bullets struggled early in the season, winning just one of their first four games. But with the start of the Berks Softball League playoffs just a little more than a week away, coach Don Roach has Brandywine looking to make a title run.

Brandywine wrapped up the Berks IV championship Wednesday night with a 5-0 win over backyard rival Kutztown at Lyons. The Bullets displayed the solid defense, steady pitching and timely hitting that have made them a perennial county contender.

"They're starting to understand game situations, they're starting to understand the mental part of the game," Roach said. "It's starting to kick in."

Under Roach, Brandywine has won six Berks championships and finished second three other times since 2006.

Brandywine, the 2019 District 3 Class 2A runner-up, has won eight District 3 titles since 2005, including five straight from 2007-11. They have been to the state finals six times since 2005, winning the PIAA Class 2A championship in 2013.

The Bullets (7-1, 10-5) have won 9-of-11 since the slow start. It's reminiscent of the coaching job Roach did two years when he took a team with an 11-9 record into the postseason all the way to the PIAA Class 2A championship game. The Bullets lost 6-5 to Frazier when the potential tying run was thrown out at the plate to end the game.

But that year the Bullets were boosted by the return of key, veteran players who missed significant time due to injuries.

With the departure of most of those players and the loss of the entire 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, Roach had to have the patience to bring along a young team.

"We basically started with two freshman classes," Roach said. "Getting them on board, creating the culture, understanding what they're supposed to do and where they're supposed to be, they're starting to get it. We still have a long way to go."

But the signs were evident during Wednesday's victory that the Bullets are getting there.

Meghann Schuster pitched a six-hitter and worked out of trouble in several innings as the Bullets swept the season series from Kutztown (2-3, 4-10).

Schuster drove in a run with a two-out single in the third to snap a scoreless tie. The Bullets tacked on four runs in the fourth with Madelyn Geiger hitting a two-run double.

In the circle, Schuster worked out of trouble with help from her defense. Kutztown stranded 11 runners and left the bases loaded in the third and fourth innings.

"She's a lot more focused than what she used to be," Roach said. "She's hitting her spots a lot better."

Schuster, a junior who started in right field in the 2019 state championship game, is one of four returning Bullets who played in that game.

Jaydn Richards, a junior, is back at third base and A'nayah Jones, a junior, returns in center field.

Richards went 2-for-2 and with a double and run scored and made a sparkling defensive play in the seventh inning. Richards dove to smother a ball headed toward the hole, then threw out the runner at first base from her knees.

Jones also was sharp in center field, making a running catch on a sinking line drive.

But perhaps the biggest and boldest decision Roach made after an 0-2 start was moving senior Naomi Fay, one of the top defensive catchers in Berks County, to second base.

Roach said he needed another strong glove to solidify play in the infield. He was able to do that because freshman catcher Emma Lukenich has been steady behind the plate.

"We've taken a lot of baby steps," Roach said. "They're getting better each game. I think the potential is there."