CAVALIERS LOCKED IN ON TARGET

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Emily Weiman nears third base on her triple, one of her three extra-base hits on the day (Photo by Steve Bates).

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Meghan Van Meter crosses the plate for one of Spalding's five runs (Photo by Steve Bates).

By Mike Buchanan
mbuchanan@digitalsports.com

Like a Top Gun fighter plane locked in on its target, Archbishop Spalding is locked in on a target as well. That target – the IAAM A Conference softball championship. The only question remaining is: who will the Cavaliers play?

Spalding (12-0, 17-1) eliminated defending champ Seton Keough yesterday, 5-0, thanks in large part to Elaine Nescio’s arm and Emily Weiman’s bat.

Nescio was dominating; in fact, she was one pitch away from being perfect. The junior pitched a one-hit, complete game shutout, one pitch away from a perfect game. She fanned six, allowed just the one hit and did not walk a batter. It was her sixth shutout of the season. She also went 1-for-3 at the plate with a RBI.

After two close games with Keough in the regular season (4-1 and 4-3), Coach Paul O’Brien was hoping his team would get off to a fast start. The Cavaliers did just that, putting up two runs in the first inning. They added another pair in the third for a 4-0 lead, more than

Nescio would need on this day. Spalding tacked on a single run in the sixth for good measure to account for the final score.

The Gators were 6-6 in the league and finished the season 9-9 overall. There was simply nothing Keough Coach Dave Boyer and his team could do, the way Nescio was pitching.

Weiman (FR, 3B) was red-hot at the plate, banging out three extra-base hits in three at-bats, two doubles and a triple. She scored twice and had two RBI. Meghan Van Meter (SR, 2B) went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI.

O’Brien had nothing but praise for his team after the game. “We had a very big win against an excellent opponent. I truly think it was our best effort of the season,” he said. “Pitching was excellent, our defense was flawless, and our bats really came through. I really can't say enough about this senior class: Meghan Van Meter, Delaney Bell, and Casey O'Neill. I have coached teams with very good talent and ability before, but they did not play like the 2008 Cavaliers. The reason we are playing at such a high level with so much consistency is the leadership of the Class of 2008. They keep the team focused and intense. They lead by example, and vocally. They are a very special class, one I will remember for a very long time!”

Spalding has been focused on the A Conference title since Day One of the season. Now the Cavaliers wait to see who they will play. The other semi-final game, IND versus Mount de Sales (at Catonsville Senior Center) was postponed yesterday. And the odds of getting that game in today, Friday, are slim because of rain. Sunday’s title game is set for 3:00 at Harford Community College, assuming the other semi-final can be played on Saturday.

Until then, Spalding remains locked in on its target.

Archbishop Spalding 5, Seton Keough 0

SK 000 000 0 - 0 1 0
AS 202 001 x - 5 10 0

Summers, Hyson (4) and Campbell; Nescio and Catucci. 2B: SK - Campbell; SP - Catucci, Van Meter, Weiman 2. 3B: SP - Weiman.

CAVALIERS LOCKED IN ON TARGET

Nescio’s one-hit shutout eliminates defending champs; Spalding has bead on A Conference title on Sunday

Published: 05/09/2008


Print Bookmark Email Facebook Google Email a link to your friend. Your Name Recipient Email Message CAVALIERS LOCKED IN ON TARGET Nescio’s one-hit shutout eliminates defending champs; Spalding has bead on A Conference title on Sunday Published: 05/09/2008 View: Photos (3) Purchase this photo Click here for more Photos (3) Emily Weiman nears third base on her triple, one of her three extra-base hits on the day (Photo by Steve Bates). Purchase this photo Click here for more Photos (3) Meghan Van Meter crosses the plate for one of Spalding's five runs (Photo by Steve Bates). By Mike Buchanan mbuchanan@digitalsports.com Like a Top Gun fighter plane locked in on its target, Archbishop Spalding is locked in on a target as well. That target – the IAAM A Conference softball championship. The only question remaining is: who will the Cavaliers play? Spalding (12-0, 17-1) eliminated defending champ Seton Keough yesterday, 5-0, thanks in large part to Elaine Nescio’s arm and Emily Weiman’s bat. Nescio was dominating; in fact, she was one pitch away from being perfect. The junior pitched a one-hit, complete game shutout, one pitch away from a perfect game. She fanned six, allowed just the one hit and did not walk a batter. It was her sixth shutout of the season. She also went 1-for-3 at the plate with a RBI. After two close games with Keough in the regular season (4-1 and 4-3), Coach Paul O’Brien was hoping his team would get off to a fast start. The Cavaliers did just that, putting up two runs in the first inning. They added another pair in the third for a 4-0 lead, more than Nescio would need on this day. Spalding tacked on a single run in the sixth for good measure to account for the final score. The Gators were 6-6 in the league and finished the season 9-9 overall. There was simply nothing Keough Coach Dave Boyer and his team could do, the way Nescio was pitching. Weiman (FR, 3B) was red-hot at the plate, banging out three extra-base hits in three at-bats, two doubles and a triple. She scored twice and had two RBI. Meghan Van Meter (SR, 2B) went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI. O’Brien had nothing but praise for his team after the game. “We had a very big win against an excellent opponent. I truly think it was our best effort of the season,” he said. “Pitching was excellent, our defense was flawless, and our bats really came through. I really can't say enough about this senior class: Meghan Van Meter, Delaney Bell, and Casey O'Neill. I have coached teams with very good talent and ability before, but they did not play like the 2008 Cavaliers. The reason we are playing at such a high level with so much consistency is the leadership of the Class of 2008. They keep the team focused and intense. They lead by example, and vocally. They are a very special class, one I will remember for a very long time!” Spalding has been focused on the A Conference title since Day One of the season. Now the Cavaliers wait to see who they will play. The other semi-final game, IND versus Mount de Sales (at Catonsville Senior Center) was postponed yesterday. And the odds of getting that game in today, Friday, are slim because of rain. Sunday’s title game is set for 3:00 at Harford Community College, assuming the other semi-final can be played on Saturday. Until then, Spalding remains locked in on its target. Archbishop Spalding 5, Seton Keough 0 SK 000 000 0 - 0 1 0 AS 202 001 x - 5 10 0 Summers, Hyson (4) and Campbell; Nescio and Catucci. 2B: SK - Campbell; SP - Catucci, Van Meter, Weiman 2. 3B: SP - Weiman.
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