Softball Teams Steal the Spotlight

By Kelly O'Brien

    Mercy Softball’s 2010 team is all about quality, not quantity: 9 Varsity members with a few “swing” players from JV. However, they certainly aren’t to be underestimated: the team has already gained media recognition for the Spring Sports Preview in the Cincinnati Enquirer and won the “wild card team of the week” by Channel 5 news. Will their next big headline be “Division II State Champs”? With so much talent, energy, and chemistry on one team, this feat is far from impossible.

   Due to enrollment fluctuations, Mercy was moved to Division II this year instead of Division I. “For me, dropping to Division II is just the opportunity to beat new teams we've never played before. It doesn't affect our season at all so we still get to play at the highest level we can,” says second baseman Hannah Rechel ‘10.

   However, this could also affect several senior trip vacations if Mercy does go to state, but Rechel provides some positive light on the conflict: “As for Panama, I would like nothing better than to get off the plane a day late like, sorry we're late, had to go win state real quick."

   Among the nine members on the team, they share a slew of awards and recognition from last season’s returning players, such as GGCL Scarlet Player of the Year/Enquirer Division I first-team all-star Erika Leonard ‘11, Scarlet first-team all-star Anna Eggleston ’12, first-team  Scarlet all-star and 2010 Captain Katie Bachus, and second-team Scarlet all-star and 2010 Captain Erin O’Brien. With a record of 20-5 last year, the recently added banner in Mercy’s gym proudly proclaims their 2009 GGCL championship.

   When asked about the small size of the team, all of the players seem to enjoy the closeness.  “We LOVE having a small team! With only having 9 full-time varsity players, we are forced to constantly rely on each other and make the most out of each other's strengths and weaknesses. We all get along so well together, and it is awesome to be able to all hang out and have fun without any separation or cliques among the team!” exclaims first baseman/captain Katie Bachus.

   Even those who aren’t always on Varsity feel the obvious positive vibe the team gives off.

“I think I speak for all the swing players when I say it’s amazing to be a part of such a strong team with too many inside jokes to count,” says “swing” player Abby Rechel. “We love to contribute anything we can to the team and we know this is a season to never forget.”

   Just how does the team keep this closeness intact? They have organized team scavenger hunts, frequent Skylining after their games, and even pancake breakfasts at team members’ houses. However, it seems that an overall love of the game engenders the compatibility between the players.

   “I love every minute of it,” says captain/shortstop Erin O’Brien ’10. “The coolest part is that every single person on the team feels the exact same way I do. That’s what makes the difference- we’re all willing to work hard for positive end results, the best part being we all completely enjoy the people we're with, the circumstances we're in, and the game we're playing.”

   Most of the team considers MND and St. Ursula (they beat MND 5-1 and Ursula 2-1 over Spring Break) to be their biggest rivals in regards to the GGCL championship. From a Mercy point of view, however, everyone collectively considers Seton an obvious rival (Mercy run-ruled Seton last year in the Strike Out for Cancer showdown).

   However, despite their overwhelming amount of success, the team still has a few obstacles to overcome. “I'd say that one of our biggest challenges this year would be living up everyone's expectations of our team, but more importantly living up to our own expectations” says center fielder Gina Carmosino ’10. “We have a really strong team with tons of talent and it's just a matter of recognizing how much potential we have and then using it to our advantage.”

  In the face of a challenge though, pitcher Anna Eggleston ’12 notes that a little luck never hurts. “For some reason every time we go to Ryan Park we find something. And somehow it's considered lucky? I mean we have a lucky ball named bubba, a lucky penguin named Lloyd, and a My-Little-Pony named Valery that Erin’s dog chewed up. We just have a lot of luck on our side so we'll do fabulous this year! WHOOP!”

   With high expectations hand in hand with one of the most difficult schedules Mercy Softball has ever encountered, one might think the team would break under the pressure. However, it’s going to take a lot more than just “pressure” to keep the ’10 State Champs title off the gym banner.