Cardinal Mooney softball has successfully been coached by Mark Rinehart for 29 years. On March 29, 2021, he began his thirtieth season with hopes to be just as successful as past seasons.
Over the past years, Rinehart has acquired 27 winning seasons, 17 sectional championships, six Steel Valley titles, eight district finals, two district championships and one regional finalist. He not only has been successful on the softball field, but also instilled skills for his players to continue to use further on in their careers.
Over the past years, Rinehart has acquired 27 winning seasons, 17 sectional championships, six Steel Valley titles, eight district finals, two district championships and one regional finalist. He not only has been successful on the softball field, but also instilled skills for his players to continue to use further on in their careers.
¨It was truly an honor to play for someone like Coach Rinehart,” Rinaldi said. “He has taught me so many valuable lessons that I continue to strive to achieve to this day. He was by far one of the best softball coaches I have ever had. I am forever grateful to be able to call him coach.¨ Due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, Rinehart’s last outing was in 2019, when Rinaldi was a senior. After losing the 2020 season, several essential players graduated and only four players returned to the lineup this year. Rinehart is still beyond excited to be back out on the field preparing the Lady Cardinals for the Spring 2021 season. “With a solid nucleus returning and the addition of a number of talented newcomers, I am excited to build on that strong finish,¨ Rinehart said. The four returning players for the Lady Cardinals are seniors Sam Holden and Gia Diorio, and juniors Alaina Francis and Alaina Scavina. As upperclassmen and returners, their leadership becomes more crucial now than ever. |
“I am so excited to be back out in the field representing Cardinal Mooney” Scavina said. “It’s been over a year since we last played, so being one of the returners means more leadership and communication.”
There are a lot of underclassmen with the few returning athletes leading them. Freshman Parker Sheehan starts as a center fielder for the team. She has played softball since she was six years old, and she wanted to continue her career to improve her abilities.
Sheehan said, “I am ready for the upcoming season because the players are very talented, and playing with the leading upperclassmen is super exciting.”
The Lady Cardinals are prepared to endure the long season ahead of them. The team will show all of their opponents the same grit and determination that they displayed in their season opener against Bloomfield when they walked away with a 10-0 victory.
There are a lot of underclassmen with the few returning athletes leading them. Freshman Parker Sheehan starts as a center fielder for the team. She has played softball since she was six years old, and she wanted to continue her career to improve her abilities.
Sheehan said, “I am ready for the upcoming season because the players are very talented, and playing with the leading upperclassmen is super exciting.”
The Lady Cardinals are prepared to endure the long season ahead of them. The team will show all of their opponents the same grit and determination that they displayed in their season opener against Bloomfield when they walked away with a 10-0 victory.