Moore Catholic came into the CHSAA Archdiocesan final brimming with confidence. The Mavericks had scored 32 runs in their two playoff games and lost to rival St. Joseph by the Sea by a combined four runs in their last two meetings.
“We thought we would come here and do well,” catcher Krissa Sagona said. “That wasn’t the result.”
Instead her team was held to three hits and watched the Vikings pound out six runs on seven hits in the fourth for an 8-0 five-inning, run-rule victory to earn their third straight Archdiocesan softball crown Wednesday in Huguenot. It is the fourth loss to Sea for the Mavericks (14-4) this season and the second by run rule. Their first meeting ended 10-0 after five.
“They were able to catch our hits and they were able to hit the gaps [with theirs],” first-year Moore coach Kristine Knuth said.
Mavericks pitcher Emily Horihan had kept the Vikings at bay the last two times out and trailed just 2-0 heading into the fourth. But Sammi Lou Anastasio, who capped a six-run fourth with a three-run homer against Moore early in the season, hit the first pitch she saw over the leftfield fence and the Vikings (18-0) never looked back.
Moore’s best chance to score against Sea ace Amanda Barrese, who didn’t walk a batter and kept the ball down, came in the first inning. Sagona had a leadoff double, but was stranded at second after Alexa Aliberti popped up and Courtney Strype lined into a double play. Sagona also hit a laser to right with two outs, Maria Genovese on second in the third and Sea up just 1-0.
“It might have changed things early on,” Knuth said.
After the loss she praised the girls for their hard work throughout the season and that they deserved and belonged to be on the same field as their rival competing for a crown. The Mavericks were in the title game for the third straight year, but again fell to the Vikings.
“They left me with memories that I will never forget in my first season,” Knuth said. “I am very proud of them.”