OLSH softball learns valuable lesson in WPIAL Class 2A consolation loss
MARS — In the midst of the deepest WPIAL playoff run in program history, the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Chargers' softball team showed what's expected of the strong program under head coach David Quinn moving forward.
They've had to learn a few hard lessons along the way though, and Tuesday's night's difficult lesson in the WPIAL Class 2A consolation game against No. 5 Laurel came by way of the right arm of sophomore standout Autumn Boyd.
Boyd, who found herself matched up against OLSH ace Justena Giles, simply dominated from start to finish, allowing just two hits, two walks, and two hit batters while striking out 17 OLSH hitters, leading the Spartans to a 6-0 win at Mars Centennial Softball Field, clinching third place in WPIAL Class 2A and earning the No. 3 seed from District 7.
"I'm very proud of this group," Quinn said following the tough loss that saw the Chargers finish fourth in the classification. "When we took over this program, we were four and thirteen. We changed the culture; we became positive, and had a positive sense all throughout this run.
"In the time we've been here, we've been to the playoffs five years in a row. Won a section title last year, reached the quarterfinals. Reached the semifinals this year. As you can see, we're getting better and better. What more can you ask of them?"
Prior to Tuesday's matchup against Laurel, OLSH had already achieved program history, reaching the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals for the first time. Now, the Chargers will make their first ever appearance in the PIAA playoffs, even if they're entering the state playoffs on a bit of a frustrating streak.
That came to a head Tuesday against Boyd and the Spartans. The towering sophomore struggled early in the first inning, but settled in quick. After a scoreless first inning, her teammates got things going offensively in the bottom half, giving her a 3-0 lead that she wouldn't relinquish.
The Spartans would get three more insurance runs later on, making the game even further out of reach. While things were bleak from the near beginning, Quinn says there was a lesson to be learned from the defeat.
"We just told them you can't quit, you have to keep fighting," Quinn said following the loss. "The things that we teach you through the season, you have to trust in those mechanics and everything we've taught you. They also have to learn throughout the course of the game that you can't lean on your coaches the entire time.
"They have to get better individually, and that comes with experience and going against pitchers that are at this level when you get to this level. This is our first time, so this is a learning experience."
Trailing 6-0 and needing to put together some offense, OLSH found some life in the top of the sixth as O'Brien lofted a single down the left field line, and Cassidy Fabiano reached first on a hit by pitch. Boyd again slammed the door though, striking out a trio of OLSH hitters to end the threat.
"I'm just really proud of the girls," Quinn added. "We told them after the game that they're four of thirty-two teams in 2A, and twenty-four of one hundred eighty in the WPIAL, you're in elite company now. Those are the expectations around here now.
OLSH will enter the first round of the PIAA playoffs on Monday, June 6 where they will take on the WPIAL Class 2A champion between Neshannock and Frazier. Frazier defeated OLSH in the semifinals, 10-2, to reach the WPIAL Class 2A championship game.
"I always tell them: life isn't easy," Quinn said. "I also tell them this, and it comes from the Naval Academy football coach Ken Niumatalolo: 'winning is hard.' Winning is hard; it's not easy. If you win, it's because you did something that's hard."
Contact Joshua Carney at jcarney@gannett.com or 724-681-9136. Follow Joshua on Twitter: @ByJoshCarney.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: OLSH softball learns valuable lesson in WPIAL Class 2A consolation loss
