Ursuline's best season comes to end

& lt;a href=mailto:richesson@vindy.com & gt;By BRIAN RICHESSON & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
MASSILLON -- Michael Kernan slumped over in the infield, hands pressed against his knees.
The Ursuline High softball coach had just watched his team lose for the second straight year in the Division III regional semifinals.
"Unfortunately, you have to take a game like this and apply it toward your experience to make you better in the future," said Kernan, after the Irish's 1-0 loss to Jeromesville Hillsdale Wednesday at Genshaft Park.
Kernan didn't think his team had to wait another season. The second-year coach believed the Irish (20-11), who set the school's season record for wins, had the tools to take another step toward Columbus.
"They're one of the best softball teams to come out of Ursuline High School," Kernan said. "It was our first 20-win season. They accomplished a lot."
Looking ahead
Expect Ursuline to make another run next season; the Irish lose only senior catcher Ali Vitello. Replacing her, however, won't be easy.
"She's been the foundation of our program," Kernan said. "It's only one person, but it's going to be a key loss."
A four-year starter, Vitello took over at catcher as a sophomore after playing second base as a freshman.
In her junior season, Vitello helped lead the Irish to their first district championship.
"Last year it was a shock to everyone because we weren't really expecting to get that far," Vitello said.
"This year we were a lot more prepared."
Over the past two years, Vitello also helped to mold Ursuline sophomore Maureen Cearfoss into a formidable starting pitcher.
Cearfoss focused
Despite the loss, Cearfoss pitched perhaps her strongest game of the season against Hillsdale (22-7), which won state titles in 1999 and 2000.
"Maureen threw probably the best I've ever seen her throw," Vitello said. "She hit her locations very well."
Cearfoss' only mistake came in the sixth inning, when Hillsdale's Tiffany Uhler lined a double past Ursuline center fielder Mariah Snyder.
That hit scored Kelly Mowry with the only run.
"It just missed my center-fielder's glove," Cearfoss said. "It was so close."
Cearfoss (18-11), who led Ursuline to the regional as a freshman, allowed five hits while striking out three and walking one.
"If you get mad, you just [mess] up more," Cearfoss said of her learning experiences. "I just try to keep my cool and keep my teammates level-headed."
Irish offense slowed
Vitello finished her high school career with two singles against Hillsdale pitcher Jamie Echelberger, who tossed a three-hitter.
Junior Courtney Davidson also singled.
Ursuline's best scoring chances came in the first, fourth and fifth innings, when it got the leadoff batter on base.
Vitello reached third base in the first inning, but the Irish couldn't drive her home.
"We really didn't even challenge them and stroke the ball like we normally do," Kernan said. "Usually we force other teams to make plays on us, but we made it easy on them today."
& lt;a href=mailto:richesson@vindy.com & gt;richesson@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;