GLENSIDE, PA- Nine innings went by with nary an element of excitement.
Three innings later, players, coaches, umpires, and fans were emotionally exhausted.
If asked for a word that would describe the Lions of Cardinal O’Hara after they defeated John W. Hallahan in the Catholic League girls’ softball semifinal on May 23 at Arcadia University, 3-2, “survivor” would fit rather perfectly.
The heroine for O’Hara was Lexie Cervella. Her two-out single in the bottom of the 12th inning scored Maura Kane with the winning run, putting the Lions in the Catholic League championship for the first time in school history. O’Hara will meet two-time defending champion Archbishop Ryan at 4:00 p.m. on May 25.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Cervella said, smiling widely. “I never had something like this happen before.”
Lexie Cervella delivers the game winning hit in the 12th inning
Lexie Cervella talks about her game-winning hit
Softball rules state that, when a game is tied after nine innings, each team begins the future innings with a runner on second base. Although purists have a difficult time dealing with that mandate, it definitely – and immediately – made the game more interesting.
After a determined Hallahan team, an afterthought heading into the playoffs with a 6-6 league record, seized a 1-0 lead in the top of the 10th, top-seeded O’Hara (11-1) tied the game when Annemarie Banes sped home from third base on a passed ball with two outs.
“We couldn’t believe it,” Cervella said. “We were all holding hands hoping to find a way. That was unreal.”
O'Hara players watch anxiously from the dugout fence. (John Knebels/Philly Sports Digest)
Hallahan sophomore Maddy McBride stands on second base as the Archbishop Ryan squad watches from behind the left field fence. (John Knebels/Philly Sports Digest)
Winning pitcher Mary Pat Brough
Undaunted, Hallahan scored again in the top of the 11th inning. Again with two outs, the Lions forged a 2-2 tie when Alexia Galli lofted a double to left field that scored Breanna Hickey.
O’Hara senior Mary Pat Brough needed three pitches to finish the 12th, recording outs on a bunt, grounder to the mound, and a popup to first base. With the Lions in position to win, Brough remained mentally entrenched. She wasn’t taking anything for granted.
“I honestly didn't even know at that point,” said Brough. “It just kept going on and on and on. I was hoping it would be over by the 10th, but it just kept going.”
Brough was hoping the Lions would score early and often.
“But that wasn't the way it went,” she said. “Both teams played awesome defensively. We kept getting outs after outs.”
Brough said she had no preference regarding whom to face in the final, saying that both teams would provide a stiff challenge.
For a little while, at least, she just wanted to bask in the reverie.
“I dreamed of this my four years,” said Brough. “I’m so excited. I'm so excited to go to the championship.”
PCL Semifinal: O'Hara 3, Hallahan 2
The post-game celebration in the dugout was abbreviated to prepare for the second game of the semifinal doubleheader between Archbishop Ryan and St. Hubert, though it was eventually rained out and moved to the next day, when the Ragdolls edged the Bambies, 1-0.
Despite having just a few minutes, O’Hara coach Bob Milliken gathered his troops a few feet away and praised his Lions for their resolve.
“You made history,” he said, and his players roared.
As Lions are apt to do.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)