Ponto Puts on a Show: Pitches No-hitter, Belts Grand Slam

With her team slated to face an opponent where it had a clear advantage, West Deptford High School softball coach Amanda Schramm elected to give her No. 1 pitcher a day away from the circle and insert No. 2 starter Sydney Ponto.

As it turned out, she wasn’t doing Lindenwold any favors.

Ponto was dominant, striking out 11 over five hitless innings, as West Deptford mercy-ruled Lindenwold, 23-0 in five innings.

“You have to be confident coming into games like this,” Ponto said. “I mean, you have to be confident coming into every game, but it was my first time pitching in a real game so I was a little nervous. I just knew I had to throw strikes.”

Ponto overpowered the opposing hitters, with five walks and a hit batter as the only blemish.

Schram expressed confidence in the preseason in Ponto’s pitching ability, and Thursday’s performance only hammered home the point that the Eagles have two quality arms in their arsenal.

“I’m hoping to be able to switch back and forth between the two,” said Schramm. “Sydney has a little more speed, but (No. 1 pitcher Marissa) Linquist has a little more control and at times a little more movement, so it's a nice combo to have both of them. Hopefully I will be able to use them both in big games.

“They are both very athletic and know what they want to do on the mound."

Linquist is expected to see the bulk of the starts, but that’s not necessarily a knock on Ponto. When she’s not on the mound, Ponto is the starting shortstop, and Schramm feels that the team is at its best defensively when Ponto is at short.

“It just works out best for the team, but it’s nice to have her (to pitch), in case I need her to finish out a game or throw off a batter.“ Schramm said.

Since there are no limitations on how many pitches or innings a softball player can throw, teams often put all their hopes on the shoulders of one pitcher. While there is nothing wrong with that philosophy, the Eagles believe having two strong pitchers makes them that much better.

“It’s really good because if one girl is off you can always throw the other and she will be on,” said Ponto. “It’s always good to have two pitchers that you know you can rely on.”

As if Ponto’s day on the mound was not impressive enough, she also provided a big highlight at the plate. With the game already in hand, Ponto blasted a bases-load shot into left-center that plated all three runners. After the ball was bobbled on the relay, Ponto was sent home, giving her an unconventional grand slam.

“That was exciting,” Ponto said. “I didn’t think coach was going to let me (go home) and then she finally sent me, so I was excited to score.”

West Deptford had plenty of offensive standouts in a game that saw it score seven runs in the second inning and 11 in the third. Kelly Brewster was 5-for-5 with four RBIs, Jade Blair was 2-for-2 with a walk and three runs, and Danielle McKeown scored four runs.

The Eagles are back in action today at Winslow at 3:45 p.m.

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You can see our full gallery of photos from the game here.

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Colonial Conference

West Deptford 23, Lindenwold 0

Lindenwold 000 00 -0

West Deptford 27(11) 3X - 23

WP: Ponto. LP: Caba.

Extra-base hits: (WD) 2B: Zegler, Sullivan,; 3: Brewster; HR: Ponto