For Cardinals — this season is for Allie St. Claire

Cardinal Stritch softball is 3-9 overall and 3-2 in the Toledo Area Athletic Conference, but coach Tony Esposito says the Cardinals are where he expected them to be.

He only has 11 players in his entire program and only one player who came into the season with any high school experience, let alone varsity experience. Six of the remaining 10 had never played organized softball before, or any kind of softball since second grade.

“This is not a negative point as it is more of a challenge, as I am glad that they are here to participate in high school sports, support their teammates and school, and learn new skills. Besides, they do not have any bad habits,” Esposito said, with some sarcasm. 

“With a year of COVID, the limited number of players and even less experience, I would see us in a rebuilding year and probably towards the bottom of TAAC this season.”

There was a chance there would not be a season, but 10 players wanted to have a season for the team’s only senior — standout Allie St. Claire.

“We had a meeting with both players and parents to decide if we wanted to band together and commit to a season that may not turn out as some would hope. We all concluded that Allie needed a senior year and the rest needed playing time for future experience and accolades,” Esposito said.

“We were not sure how competitive we will be, but the players have a good attitude and team unity that is hard to come by. Some will focus on the record this season, but I will focus on growth and development of a team that will be a force in the years to come.   

“After much consideration, they decided that they would do all they can to learn varsity softball and give our lone senior the opportunity to finish her COVID-shortened career,” Esposito said.

“Because of numbers and level of play, we reduced our schedule to provide games where both teams can learn and compete while limiting the possibilities of injuries that can often plague a season,” Esposito continued.

“I am extremely proud of what we, as a team, have accomplished so far. Even with the variance of talent, all our players are becoming rather quick learners. Through drills and stats, I attempt to have them focus on the success of their accomplishments rather than just our record, as we have come a long way since the start of the (conditioning and practice) season on February 22.” 

St. Claire batting over .600

St. Claire is batting .619 (13 for 21) with 17 runs, 11 RBIs and nine stolen bases, and in the circle, she is 2-2 with 32 strikeouts and a 5.88 ERA, allowing 21 earned runs and 20 hits in 25 innings. She is a two-time All-TAAC team selection, earning first team in 2019.

“While it is no surprise that Allie has been a dominant force both on the mound and at the plate, others have stepped up their roles both offensively and defensively, including co-captain third baseman and shortstop Emily Mossing, outfielder Autumn Sekerak, and newly-found leadoff batter and second baseman Allison McVicker,” Esposito said.

Mossing, a sophomore, is batting .467 (7 for 15) with eight runs, 11 RBIs and seven SB, Sekerak is hitting .400 (8 for 20) with five runs, three RBIs and two SB, and McVicker is batting .348 (8 for 23) with eight runs, five RBIs and seven SB. 

“Allison is a fundamentally solid player who always wants to learn more about her position and the game,” Esposito said.

There are others who are coming along with experience, including catcher Bella Schwirzinski. 

“The efforts and progress of Bella, who, with limited experience, volunteered for the demanding assignment of catching our multi-pitch senior. She is finding a home catching at a high school level always and thinking of how to improve to be a better player and team leader. 

“Also included are the accolades of our shortstop and first-year pitcher Lily Smith who looks to be the future of our pitching staff,” Esposito said. “She has the talent and ability to become All-TAAC in the near future.”

From that early meeting to now, Esposito says the team has come a long way.

“Having coached for almost 30 years, I cannot recall a more unified and team focused group of individuals. They understand that it is not about them, but about the team and the success we experience together,” Esposito said.

“We continue to build on having fun while learning the sport, focus on the only two things you have complete control over — your attitude and effort and each day, become a better player than you were yesterday,” Esposito said.  “I am not sure where we will wind up. But I am quite certain Cardinal Stritch softball is once again on the rise.”

This is Esposito’s fourth year at the helm after 12 years heading up the Stritch junior varsity baseball and softball teams. He is a longtime coaching veteran, having coached multiple sports for 28 years.

In 2019, Stritch was 9-14 overall and 6-2 in the TAAC, good enough to win a league title. Esposito notes that with no season a year ago, other programs are in the same boat his team is. Northwood looks like they have a shot at winning a league title, but a lot can happen yet.

“With few teams with a JV squad and missing last season, I would guess many of the teams are trying to put together a program with limited varsity level experience and would conclude it would be a well-balanced conference without a dominating team and plenty of surprises,” Esposito said.