Softball: St. Edward settles for 4th place in Class 2A
EAST PEORIA - Playing on the final day of the high school softball season is every team's goal each year, but getting the chance to start a game at the state tournament is every girl's dream.
St. Edward (25-10) completed a major lineup shuffle to start the Class 2A third-place game, which included 5 new players in the batting lineup, a new outfield, as well as new first and second basemen.
St. Edward may have fallen to Rockridge 12-2 in 6 innings, but all 14 rostered players gained plenty experience.
"We wanted to get third place, but I personally told the girls that we were going to start the seniors and then put the girls in that hadn't played before because I wanted them to have the experience of having played in the tournament," stated St. Edward head coach Paul Netzel. "I tried to move it around so everybody got a couple-three innings."
The game started in the Green Wave's favor as they were able to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning after freshman Katie Davidson walked to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a slap back to the pitcher by sophomore Preston Reeves and eventually came home on a single off the bat of senior Rachel Lesh. Seniors Allie Stratman and Lindsay Zdroik followed with back-to-back singles to plate Lesh for the only 2 Wave runs of the game.
Rockridge (34-6) promptly took over the lead in the bottom half of the inning as it recorded 3 singles, a double, a triple, and a home run to take a 5-2 advantage.
The Green Wave would not reach base again for the remainder of the game, while the Rockets would plate 7 runs over the next 3 innings.
Zdroik suffered the loss throwing 4 innings, thus ending her illustrious career for the Green Wave.
"It's awesome that we got down to state, we just didn't think that was ever going to happen," said Zdroik. "It was a great experience and I'm really glad I got to do it with this team."
Along with Zdroik the Green Wave will also lose Stratman, Lesh, and Clarissa Vargas, all of whom have provided strong senior leadership.
"The senior leadership, you can't describe it. It is just one of those intangibles you either have it or you don't and they just did a great job all year long," stated Netzel. "From day one they took charge and we had a couple meetings about being leaders and from that point on they just took over."
As for the state experience?
"Going to state as a senior is extra special," said Lesh. "This is the last thing I will remember and it is great to do it with the people that I love."
For dynamic batterymates Zdroik and Stratman, this not only completes their high school careers, but also their playing days together.
"I've been playing with Lindsay for 10 years and this is the last year," stated an emotional Stratman. "It meant so much that we got to go this far and that we got to squeeze every game we could out of this season."
St. Edward may not have come away with a third-place victory, but the Wave made it to state, gained some valuable experience, and are looking forward to a bright future.