Paul O?Brien had one goal when he took over as Archbishop Spalding?s softball coach this season: Don?t screw it up.
O?Brien inherited a perennial softball power that has won the last two Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference titles. This year?s team boasts four players that have committed to Division I colleges next year, putting the Cavaliers in a prime position for a three-peat.
The Cavaliers go into today?s non-conference game against Westlake at 5-1 (3-1 A Conference) after knocking off defending Class 4A state champion C. Milton Wright, 10-0, Monday in a game halted after six innings.
That win offered a glimpse into why the Cavaliers have won four of seven IAAM titles since 2000. Against C. Milton Wright, Archbishop Spalding received contributions from nearly everyone in the lineup, including second baseman Marybeth Herrick (4 for 4, 2 runs, 2 RBI) and center fielder Sloan Van Meter (1 for 3, 2 runs, 2 walks). Also, pitcher Stephanie Weigman confused the Mustangs? lineup over six innings, giving up no runs and two hits while striking out eight.
“That?s what?s great about this team,” said O?Brien, who coach at St. Vincent Pallotti before taking over for Nikki Trumpler at Spalding. “It really is a team. I couldn?t be in a better situation. Nikki Trumpler left this team in really good shape.”
So far, Spalding?s lone blemish this season is a 3-0 loss last Wednesday to Seton Keough in a rematch of last year?s conference final. But Van Meter said the team isn?t dwelling on that loss and expects to be in the championship picture again this year.
Van Meter and Weigman will remain teammates in college at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Also, Herrick committed to Towson and catcher Nicole Reeder is heading to Mount St. Mary?s.
“We learn from every game,” Van Meter said. “The great thing about our lineup is that anyone from one through nine can make a difference in a game.”
Van Meter added that she feels like the team has adjusted well to O?Brien, who remains a teacher at Pallotti and didn?t officially come aboard at Spalding until early February.
“We?re learning about him, and he?s learning about us,” Van Meter said. “He comes from a good program and will do a great job here.”
SPALDING NOTES
» Current Spalding softball coach Paul O?Brien guided his old team, St. Vincent Pallotti, to Maryland private school state titles in 2003 and 2004.
» Second baseman Marybeth Herrick leads the Cavaliers with a .579 batting average, while right fielder Meghan Van Meter has a team-high six RBI.
» Senior pitcher Stephanie Weigman is 4-1 with a 1.03 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 34 innings for the Cavaliers.
