By Bob Badders - Senior Writer
Even if Mater Dei didn't make as it far as Tuesday's game against St. Joseph-Hammonton, 2008 would have gone down as a memorable year for the Seraphs softball program. The Seraphs have accomplished plenty of things for the first time this season, such as beating Shore Conference powerhouse St. John Vianney and advancing to the final of the Monmouth County Tournament. As great as those accomplishments are, nothing can compare to their latest milestone.
Mater Dei first baseman Elyse Parker hit a game-winning RBI single in the top of the 10th inning that scored Lauren McKeown and gave the Seraphs the NJSIAA Non-Public South B title, 1-0, over St. Joseph-Hammonton on Tuesday at Ocean County College. Senior right-hander Sara Cline tossed 9 2/3 innings of no-hit ball, striking out 10 and walking five, while also going 2-for-3 at the plate to help Mater Dei win its first sectional title in school history. The Seraphs will play Montclair Kimberley Academy, winner of the last four Non-Public B titles, on Saturday for the NJSIAA Non-Public B championship.
"I can't say enough about Sara and our defense," said Seraphs head coach Jeanne Dickinson. "Whatever St. Joseph threw at us they stood up to it."
The Seraphs had only appeared in one sectional final before Tuesday, losing to St. Mary's of South Amboy, which is now Cardinal McCarrick High School, 1-0 in 1984. Now 24 years later, the Seraphs have made school history by knocking off a team that was ranked No. 1 in New Jersey.
McKeown, who is normally the Seraphs' flex player, was inserted into the lineup as a hitter in the seventh inning. She began the 10th on second base and moved to third when freshman Maggie Fermo laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt. With one out, Parker came to the plate with the go-ahead run 60 feet away. She had struck out three times against Wildcats pitcher Nicole Pagano, who is regarded as one of the top pitchers in the state, but put the bat on the ball and grounded back to the circle. Pagano checked McKeown at third before throwing to first, which allowed a hustling Parker to beat the throw. As soon as Pagano threw to first McKeown broke for home and scored with a hook slide to the inside of the base line.
"She had struck out three times against Pagano, so we had tried a safety squeeze that went foul," Dickinson said. "I went up to her and said to just shorten up her swing and put the ball in play. McKeown is probably our second best baserunner as far as smarts on the bases and she made a great play and a terrific slide."
Parker wasn't done making crucial plays, however. The leadoff hitter in the bottom of the 10th hit a comebacker to Cline, who checked the runner at second (who was on via the international tie-breaker rule that goes into effect in the 10th) before throwing to first. The runner tried to advance to third but Parker fired a strike across the infield to Tess Gagliano, who applied the tag for the double play, the third turned by Mater Dei in the game.
Cline then surrendered her first hit of the game and walked a batter, but was able to work out of the jam with a three-pitch strikeout to start a celebration that still might be going on.
As has been the case this season, Cline rose to the occasion in her team's biggest game. The senior right-hander matched Pagano pitch for pitch and now has the Seraphs one win away from ending a legendary season with an unprecedented group title.
"I always say as Sara goes, so do the Seraphs," Dickinson said. "She really is the leader in the circle. I never have to say too much to her."
There really isn't much else to say to Mater Dei other than congratulations. There have been some hiccups along the way, but the higher the stakes, the better the Seraphs have played. Their school record book might not be the biggest, but the 2008 squad has given it some very welcome additions.
Box Score
(2) Mater Dei 1, (1) St. Joseph-Hammonton 0
Mater Dei (21-4) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 1 4 0
St. Joseph (24-2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 2
WP: Sara Cline (20-4)
LP: Nicole Pagano (22-2)