Mount de Sales Softball is Keeping their Eye on the Ball
By Maria Beam Gray
With a seasoned veteran coach leading the lineup and a team that's as comfortable with each other as a well-worn catcher’s mitt, Mount de Sales Academy softball is in ready position to face the field of competitors in the IAAM’s “A” conference.
Involved in some capacity with the Sailors’ softball program - mainly as head coach - for the past three decades, Pete Waskiewicz is known for putting together teams that can contend. This year is no exception.
“Although we’re playing about .500 ball on paper, we’re playing good softball,” said Waskiewicz. “If it all comes together, we should be surprising some people by the end of the season.”
Recent games have supported Waskiewicz's projection as the Sailors dropped back-to-back heartbreakers this past week to Spalding and John Carroll by only two run margins. Those two schools currently sit at number one and number two on the “A” conference leaderboard. An early April matchup saw Mount de Sales take down third in the standings McDonogh in a 13-0 shutout.
“If we can cut down on mistakes and mental errors, we can beat anyone,” emphasized Waskiewicz.
Starting at 2nd base for the Sailors is senior captain Ava Remesch. Remesch is focused on proving that her team has what it takes to earn a championship banner under Waskiewicz’s mentoring, which would make the fourth in his career.
“One thing I have learned playing for Mount de Sales is that hard work pays off,” stated Remesch, who is described by her coach as showing outstanding leadership. “The past few years we have been working hard and growing stronger and this year we are seeing that progress.”
The Sailor squad is bolstered by a steady stream of defensive and offensive contributors including senior Marissa Webb, who's been a force on the mound getting the shutout versus McDonogh while also being a powerhouse at bat with four home runs on the season.
Junior Olivia Ross has been boosting the infield at shortstop and as the lead-off batter is the player her coach praises for “setting the table for everyone else”.
Anchoring the team at catcher is junior Olivia Berger. Berger made the All-Star squad last season and Waskiewicz credits her for taking control of the field.
Sophomore Brooke Fuhr, who plays pitcher/outfielder, has been providing an offensive spark with a bag full of extra base hits and two home runs to date.
Completing the close-knit squad are seniors Samantha Brown and Vanessa Wilson; juniors Maya Schipske and Katherine Wright; sophomore Sadie Kalwa; and freshmen Gianna Giacoletto, Tori Dantinne, and Mara Granzow.
“My favorite thing about Mount de Sales softball is my teammates and we definitely are a close team,” noted Fuhr. “My favorite tradition is our spring break Myrtle Beach trip as we have so much fun together and make great memories on and off the field.”
Waskiewicz also has high praise for the annual Myrtle Beach tournament for the exceptional team bonding it provides and for the opportunity to face tough opponents.
“It’s a good experience to learn and grow from and to bring those lessons back to IAAM play,” he added.
As they round the bases and head toward playoffs, Waskiewicz is confident his players will continue to build on that growth.
“They’re learning responsibility, leadership, and the lesson that nothing is ever given to you,” he stressed. “You have to work for what your goal is and our goal is to win the IAAM A division.”
With anyone can win on any given day softball being played, predicting who will be in the May championship game is as iffy as multiple fielders going for the same pop fly. It’s a six-team competitive field that is shaping up for an IAAM playoff run that could be as entertaining as an All-Star homerun derby. Warming up on deck, Waskiewicz’s crew of Sailors can't wait for their turn at the plate.