Fourteen games have been played by Covenant, and fourteen games have been won by Covenant. Six games remain (two each against Grace Chapel Blue, New Life and Lebanon C).
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Covenant will likely have one of the five first round byes in the winners' bracket of the double elimination league tournament on July 16 at the COG Softball Complex in West Middlesex.
On the pitching front, the three pitcher staff expanded to four in game two against Grace Chapel Burgundy when Julie Norris took the mound for the first time this season. It was revealed by Julie in postgame on June 9 that she had played pitcher in fast pitch softball. She pitched two perfect innings while striking out two batters.
Eric Bombeck, David Dalessandro and Bob Mariotti are close to each other in terms of earned run average. Dalessandro leads with a 3.11 average, with Mariotti right behind him with a 3.13 average. Bombeck has a 3.60 average. Combined, Bombeck, Dalessandro, Mariotti and Norris have pitched a combined 93 innings, allowing a total of 105 hits and 46 runs (44 of them earned) for a 3.31 average, issuing 29 free passes and striking out 33 batters.
On offense, Matt Durisko, Tay Robinson, Jeff Newell, Ryan Zippie, Sean Zippie and Dan Vanderslice lead the team in runs batted in. Durisko has 27, while Robinson is right behind him with 26. In terms of batting average (minimum 10 at bats), Durisko, Ethan Davis, Gray MacKenzie, Jim Bombeck and Robinson lead the team.
The following players are as of the end of last night's doubleheader against Bethany, eligible for the July 16 tournament:
Sean Zippie
Ryan Zippie
Eric Bombeck
Pat DeGeralamo
David Dalessandro
Matt Durisko
Brett McBride
Bob Mariotti
Jeff Newell
Jim Bombeck
Julie Norris
Gray MacKenzie
Jacob Albright
Robert Mort
Tay Robinson
Dan Vanderslice
The following players need to show up tomorrow at Jefferson Township Field to be eligible for the tournament:
Craig Osmon
Randel Veccia (one game)
The following player needs to show up at Jefferson tomorrow and at White Chapel Field next Tuesday to be eligible:
Ethan Davis
The following player needs to show up for all six remaining games at Jefferson (tomorrow), White Chapel (next Tuesday) and at Wheatland Field (June 30) to be eligible for the tournament:
Elija Bombeck
The following players are not eligible for the tournament:
Jordan Davis
Jeremy McNeill
These are my insights on Covenant Sharon softball after 14 games. Until next time, farewell and fair balls.
