Notre Dame Prep Wins the IAAM B Conference Softball Title Behind Big Bats & Power Pitching
By Maria Beam Gray
Following an undefeated sweep in conference play during the regular season, Notre Dame Prep stepped up to the postseason plate and aimed for the fences. It was more than a title they were swinging for, it was also redemption.
Last season, the Blazers also went undefeated in regular season conference games, before last seed St. Paul’s School for Girls went on a Cinderella playoff run and upset NDP in the semifinals round.
Redemption came calling as big bats and powerful pitching helped NDP prevail with a resounding 14-2 victory over defending champs Maryvale Prep to secure the IAAM B Conference Softball Championship.
First year NDP head coach John Waugh knew how much last season stung for the players, as he was the assistant coach at the time. It made the championship all the more profound, especially for their only senior.
“Maryvale is a good team, and they've been in the championship game the past two years, so I’m just really proud of our girls and happy they get to experience this,” said Waugh.
The Blazers jumped out to an early lead in the 1st inning as sophomore Lea Neff doubled, bringing in two of NDP’s three runs plated in the inning.
Neff continued her impact on the game from the field, as the young pitcher started on the mound, striking out seven Lions batters over five innings.
“Everyone was like Lea, push through it, do your best, and have fun, and I told them I’ll have fun if we win,” Neff said with a laugh, as the sounds of said fun rang out around her.
“I am super proud of this group of overachievers,” praised Notre Dame Prep Athletic Director Steve Powers. “They had amazing bats all season, and strong defense behind the dominating pitching of Lea Neff.”
Those bats stretched the Blazers lead with a big bottom of the second inning as junior Abby Pitz belted a bomb to center field, delivering the game’s lone home run, and driving in three runs. NDP also produced RBI’s on the inning as Ryan Owenson doubled, Luci Whiting singled, and Neff hit into a fielder’s choice and a run scored.
“We’re ecstatic as we worked really hard all season and we earned this,” stressed Pitz, who was a freshman on the team when the Blazers won the B conference in 2023.
For their part, Maryvale senior Reaghan Strine led with two runs batted in, and freshman Dylan Steele went two for three from the plate to lead the Lions in hits.
All tallied, NDP cracked eleven hits on the game, including multiple hits by Pitts and Bella Canova. Whiting, third in the batting lineup, also added a three-run triple after Waugh gave her the go ahead to swing on a 3-0 pitch. The gutsy move put the Blazers up by ten.
“Winning was amazing. It was just surreal, as this is something I've been dreaming of,” stated Whiting, a sophomore who plays 3rd base.
As for where this young team is headed from here, Neff and Whiting have some thoughts.
“Our team is going to connect a lot stronger, and we’re going to come back, know what to do, and even if we’re in A conference, we’re going to bring it,” said Neff.
Whiting concurred. “Another championship, that’s where we’re going.”