DIVISION II SOFTBALL Grimaldi's gem directs Mooney to district final

The Cardinals showed off their reliable defense in a win against Chaney.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HUBBARD -- Moments after defeating Chaney in Wednesday's Division II district semifinal, Cardinal Mooney High pitcher Stephanie Grimaldi was nervous about facing Poland today for a trip to the regional tournament.
The sophomore fired a two-hitter to lead the Cardinals (17-10) to an 8-0 win over Chaney.
"I'm really excited," Grimaldi said about Poland. "I'm looking forward to it. My stomach's already in knots. I'm a little nervous, but I just have to stay focused and I think we'll do well."
Getting the job done
Grimaldi (10-4) looked anything but nervous against Chaney as she consistently threw strikes and let the defense do the rest.
Grimaldi only struck out two, but the Mooney defense was outstanding, making just one error.
"We feel like we're a solid defensive ball club," said Mooney coach Mark Rinehart. "We're not a team dominated by a pitcher that no one could hit. We play defense. We know what we are doing out there and we think that we can catch the ball at all nine positions."
The Mooney offense was just as strong. The Cardinals pounded out 12 hits and scored two runs in four different innings.
Sophomore Gina Brunetti went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a single, a sacrifice bunt and two RBIs.
Adrianne Detesco and Katie Stickel each had two hits and two RBIs apiece.
"When we needed contact, we got contact," said Rinehart. "We feel we have good hitters throughout the lineup. Today they showed what they could do."
Chaney sets mark
Chaney coach Dennis Malaska fielded perhaps his strongest team this year. The Cowgirls (15-8) posted the most wins in school history and returned to district play for the second straight year.
"We got this far. We just didn't have the offense to back it up today," Malaska said. "We put the ball in play, but Mooney played excellent defense."
In the first inning, Mooney's Kristin Laskowski and Pam Walko led off with hits. Brunetti drove in Laskowski with a sacrifice fly and Walko scored on a fielder's choice by Detesco.
Mooney scored twice more in the third, fourth and sixth innings.
Grimaldi did the rest.
"I try to pitch well," Grimaldi said. "But even when I don't, I know the defense will be there. I have to throw strikes, just get the ball over the plate."
For Chaney, left-fielder Sheila Kollar had a single and made an outstanding diving catch. Jill Kocanyer had the other hit.