As winter comes to an end, spring arises with the opportunity for baseball and softball teams to bloom during a fresh season of competition. Mooney teams start preparing for the snow to melt as they take the field.
Softball: Coach's Comments
The new softball season has begun as the days on the March calendar continue to be checkmarked . In an interview with Mark Rinehart, English teacher and softball coach, he was asked, "What can we expect from the team this year, and what are some fun facts from previous seasons of coaching?"
“Mooney Softball is the most consistent winning athletic team in the building. We have had winning seasons 29 of the last 31 years, with six Steel Valley Championships, 15 Sectional Championships, seven trips to the District Final, two District Titles and a Regional Finalist berth over that span. Seventeen of our athletes have gone on to play in college, six of those in Division I. As always, we expect to build a close, winning team, one that is tough to defeat , improves during the season, and is at its peak to make another tournament run. Last year we were 13-7 and reached the Sectional Final. We have a solid nucleus of experienced returning players, and a nice contingent of athletic newcomers added to the mix,” Rinehart said. |
“We hope to work hard, mesh as a true team, and compete at our very highest level each time we represent Cardinal Mooney on the field. Returnings letterwinners: seniors Alaina Scavina (1st Team All Northeast Ohio) and Alaina Francis (Honorable Mention All-Northeast Ohio) will be the #1 pitchers and alternate catchers. Juniors Marissa Bowman, Maria Fire, Aja Gregory and sophomores Sydney Howard, Delaney Saveat, and Parker Sheehan are all returning letter winners. Newcomers expected to contribute are junior Allie Blohm, sophomores Amarra Anderson and Nina Santisi, and freshmen Chakya Howell, Delanie Olesh, Samantha Rotunno, Mariah Moore, Jasiyah Moreland, Madison Palmer, and Aaniyah Toney. Open Facilities have
been ongoing since early January, and the coaches are pleased with the work ethic, and believe we have the talent and commitment to have a highly successful season,” Rinehart added.
been ongoing since early January, and the coaches are pleased with the work ethic, and believe we have the talent and commitment to have a highly successful season,” Rinehart added.
Baseball: Athletes' Comments
We hope you're as prepared for our girls' team as you are for our boys'! With last year's outstanding team and their fantastic performances over the years, we're excited to give you a sneak peek from the team's aces about what's in store for the team this year.
“For this season I expect great things to come. We will do great during the regular season, and I have great expectations about winning the District Championship and potentially going further. Even though we only have three true senior baseball players, we will lead the younger quality players to victory this year and strive to do better than last year. Cole is the team's ace pitcher and I’m the ace fielder and runner,” senior Zachary Hryb said. |
Senior Cole Litman said, “With practices we’ve had so far, our team looks strong. Coach Eddie Reese is doing a great job getting us ready for the season along with the rest of our coaching staff. Our hitting looks great and all of us are improving. Same goes for pitching and fielding. We look strong with everything we do, and we’re definitely ready for some games. We will go far in this season!”