Things hadn’t exactly been going Kelsey Sheehan’s way.
The Elizabeth Seton junior shortstop had dropped one ball, she was involved in a failedrundown, and the Roadrunners lost to St. Mary’s-Ryken, 2-0, in Wednesday’s final game of the Maryland Private Schools State Championship tournament at Braden Park.
But thanks to a 5-2 win over Pallotti on Tuesday, Sheehan and Seton claimed the tournament title on the second tiebreaker.
“I just said hey, I can’t let any runs score because I knew we were ahead runs allowed so I just dug deep,” said Sheehan, who had one hit, a number of key put outs and was named tournament MVP.
Runs allowed was the first tiebreaker, and Seton (14-11) tied St. Mary’s with four apiece. But on the second tiebreaker, runs scored, they topped the Knights, 5-3.
“I knew, [the players] didn’t know,” said Seton coach Rita Horning. “After they had their last at-bat in the sixth, I knew, either were going to score or win on the tiebreaker.”
The championship trophy presentation spoiled an otherwise outstanding showing by St. Mary’s-Ryken pitcher Amanda Hanson, who allowed just two hits and struck out seven for the Knights (16-10) a day after missing her spots in a 4-1 loss to Pallotti.
The tournament’s muddled ending could be a sign of things to come. Pallotti coach Paul O’Brien, the tournament director, said it is likely this is the last year for a tournament that has included up to 20 teams in past years but had only three teams this season. O’Brien said the timing has become too tricky to schedule due to senior activities and how late it takes place during the spring after the conclusion of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland seasons.
“If we can get more teams involved, then it can be a big tournament,” said Horning. “Of course you want to say, ‘Maybe I lost to these teams in Virginia, but we’re the best team in Maryland in private schools.’ I think if it’s taken more seriously by other schools then it can be a big deal.”
Regardless of the future, Sheehan was still able to enjoy the victory.
“It’s so nice because we lost to Paul VI by one run in the first round of the WCAC playoffs,” said Sheehan. “We didn’t know if we were going to get to play this because Good Counsel dropped out. To have this and still be able to win is just great.”
Tough calls, good effort
» Center fielder Erin Leddy drove in shortstop Brenda McEvoy for the Knights’ first run in the first inning. The Knights doubled their lead in the fourth inning when Seton shortstop Kelsey Sheehan fielded a ground ball from Raven Manigault and appeared to make the play at first base, but the runner was called safe which allowed Kimmie Delapaz to score.
» Seton had three diving catches early in the game — first baseman Sam Spellicy snagged a foul ball by the fence, right fielder Andi Diaz made a sliding catch, and Sheehan made her own sliding grab by in left field foul territory.
