In the opening round of the PIAA state playoffs, Arcadia University hosted three consecutive contests featuring CL teams competing in their respective Class distinctions. Within a span of less than six hours, all three had lost.
With that, their collective softball season had come to an end.
“I’m disappointed this is over,” said Archbishop Ryan senior Sarah Ostaszewski, a three-time Catholic League champion and arguably the best catcher in Catholic League history. “These girls . . . we’ve been through so much together.”
Ostaszewski was being filmed when she said those words, but something freaky happened with the video. Attempt number two resulted in her not being able to refrain from becoming emotional.
It was that kind of a day – difficult, and poignant.
The Ragdolls had just lost to Avon Grove, 6-1. Their cleanup smashed two home runs, part of an offense that amassed 11 hits, several via perfectly placed bunts. But that wasn’t the worst part.
Archbishop Ryan's Sarah Ostaszewski briefly reflects on her final game.
Their opponent pitcher, Maggie Balint, will be playing at the University of Oregon next year, and she performed as advertised. The Ragdolls struck out in their first six at bats, eight of their first nine, 10 of their first 12, and 12 of their first 15. After putting the ball in play three straight times in the sixth, Ryan struck out in its final two at bats.
The Ragdolls are not accustomed to striking out 14 times in one game, not to mention being almost no-hit. An infield single by junior Kate Ostaszewski with one out in the seventh took care of that ignominy, and after she moved to second, who else but Sarah Ostaszewski would rip a grounder to center to score her sister from second base.
Archbishop Ryan senior star catcher Sarah Ostaszewski - PSD Photo
Ostaszewski then stole second and third base; defensively, she pegged two would-be base stealers. Her individual contribution, however, did little to assuage the St. Joseph’s University signee from feeling rather blue.
“Our time together has been unbelievable,” said Ostaszewski, whose two underclassman sisters – the aforementioned junior Kate, and sophomore Emily – are Ryan starters. “Today doesn’t lessen it. It’s disappointing, but the season has definitely been a success.”
Archbishop Ryan's Vicki Black dives crashes through the fence trying in vain to catch a home run. - PSD Photo
Ostaszewski also refused to offer fatigue as an excuse – this despite she and her senior classmates having graduated just a couple of hours before the game began.
“We didn’t play great, but we were prepared and we were ready,” she said. “They played better than we did.”
CONWELL-EGAN FALLS SHORT
Before the Ryan loss, Conwell-Egan dropped its Class AA game against Pequea Valley, a 1-0 decision that ended with the tying and lead runs on base.
“We still played our hearts out,” said hard-luck losing pitcher Alexis Gartner. “We were in the game the whole time and our defense played great. We just couldn’t get our offense going.”
ARCHBISHOP WOOD GETS BLANKED
The Catholic League anti-trifecta included Archbishop Wood dropping a 1-0 decision to Bishop Shanahan. The Vikings threatened throughout, but a fifth-inning run by Shanahan proved to be too much.
“We definitely did have some chances,” said junior Lanie Boyk. “We fought hard all game. We just couldn’t seem to get a run in.”
Boyk was impressed with Shanahan, though she was surprised the Catholic League finished the state tourney empty-handed.
“I definitely didn't expect that to happen, but there is a lot of talent outside the Catholic League and we saw that in the first round,” said Boyk. “I wish we could've gone farther and beat Shanahan, but we gave it our all just like all the other Catholic League teams. Every team fought to earn their spot.”
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)