GLENOLDEN — Two years ago, Sara Smith was on the mend, perhaps feeling a little left out as she watched her Interboro teammates play the sport she loves. After working back to full health last spring, the senior has thrived in the pitching circle while sharing time with junior Julia Bergen, who earned the start in Monday’s District 1 Class 5A tournament opener against Gwynedd Mercy. “I had an injury my sophomore year, in my back, and didn’t pitch at all,” Smith said.
“It’s been really nice this year. I feel like we both can depend on each other.” That was the case Monday when Smith relieved Bergen in the fourth inning, then proceeded to shut 11th-seeded Gwynedd Mercy down.
Smith was excellent as she pitched the final four innings of No. 6 Interboro’s 10-3 victory. Interboro travels to fifth-seeded Marple Newtown in the district quarterfinals Wednesday.
First pitch is at 7 p.m. “As a senior, seeing the community come out and be very supportive of our team, it’s really great,” said Smith, who gave up no hits while striking out eight.
“This (game) was really fun.” Mare Nagle led the Bucs with a 3-for-3 performance. The fleet-footed shortstop recorded her 100th hit as a high schooler, with two triples and three RBIs.
The second triple was a poke beyond the reach of the first baseman, Nagle turning what would’ve been a single for most players into a three-bagger. “She is the catalyst,” coach Dave Wilson said. “When she goes, we go .
.. and she us.
