The Lineup is Set for IAAM Softball Championships
By Maria Beam Gray
With semifinals play complete, the field has been narrowed, and six teams will step up to the plate for a crack at an IAAM softball title.
In the “A” Conference semifinals action, top seed Archbishop Spalding, who ran the table with a 10-0 conference record in-season, faced #4 seed McDonogh. The Cavaliers advanced with a 3-0 sweep.
The other “A” semifinal game pitted #3 seed, and 2024 champs John Carroll, against #2 seed Mount de Sales. The Sailors put together a dominant 8-2 record in regular season conference play, including 12-8 and 3-2 prior victories over John Carroll. However, the Patriots came out swinging, and their 7-2 upset finish will earn them a shot at defending their title when they face Spalding in the championship game.
The “B” conference semifinals saw #1 seed Notre Dame Prep hold off #4 seed St. John’s Catholic 20-8 behind the hot bat of Abby Pitz. Pitz drove in five runs on three hits to help the Blazers, who went 6-0 in regular season conference play, secure a berth in the finals.
Meanwhile, reigning 2024 “B” conference champs Maryvale Prep scored a chance to vie for back-to-back banners as the #2 seed knocked off #3 seed St. Paul’s School 9-2.
Lions co-head coach Amanda Vogt credits a “stellar performance on the mound by sophomore Ruby Butler, and explosive offense led by senior Reaghan Strine’s home run” as key factors in the victory. A pivotal seven-run 4th inning tipped the scales with additional RBI producing hits from senior Olivia Poggi, junior Kaitlyn McNulty, freshman Dylan Steele, freshman Ruby Piet, and junior Miley Snodgrass.
“The championship will be a tough game against a very well coached team,” said Notre Dame Prep coach John Waugh. “Ruby Butler is a great competitor on the mound, and Maryvale has some really good hitters that can cause problems for a defense. It’s going to be a fun and challenging game.”
In the “C” conference semifinals, after falling behind 4-1, #1 seed Bryn Mawr adjusted and roared back to defeat #4 seed Park School 16-5; while #2 seed St. Vincent Pallotti edged out #6 seed Our Lady of Mount Carmel 10-9.
A Mawrtians versus Panthers championship matchup pits two teams who both went 6-1 in regular season conference play. In their first meeting this season, Bryn Mawr plated a 16-11 win over Pallotti.
“We were able to battle it out against them earlier this season, but I’m sure they will be prepared for us this time as we will be for them,” noted Bryn Mawr head coach Mike Leatherwood. “Our team will need to pull together, as we have most of the season, and show up to play. It should be a good game, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
The Championships are set to be played at the Bachman Park Sports Complex, 570 East Ordnance Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21060, on Tuesday, May 13th. (Rain date May 14th.) Admission is free, and concessions will be available.
B Conference Finals 3:45 p.m. Field 1 - #1 Notre Dame Prep vs #2 Maryvale Prep
C Conference Finals 5:00 p.m. Field 3 - #1 Bryn Mawr vs #2 St. Vincent Pallotti
A Conference Finals 6:00 p.m. Field 1 - #1 Archbishop Spalding vs #3 John Carroll
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