SVC SOFTBALL Ursuline sweeps Mooney to inch closer to crown

Alessandra Parry's two hits and two RBIs triggered an Irish rally.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- On the surface, it seemed like just another high school softball game between Steel Valley Conference rivals Ursuline and Cardinal Mooney.
Michael Kernan made it so much more than that.
"I told the girls that this could be one of the biggest games in Ursuline High School history," said Kernan, the Irish coach.
What would make it such an important game for the Irish?
"To put themselves in position to win their first SVC softball title," Kernan said of his girls, "so they knew there was a lot on the line in this game."
Getting the job done
Ursuline overcame an early deficit to defeat the Cardinals 4-2 Tuesday at Volney Rogers Field.
In doing so, the Irish (11-2, 3-1) moved a step closer to the SVC crown after narrowly beating Mooney (11-2, 1-2) for the second time this season.
"We've been [beaten] so many years by Boardman and Fitch," said Ursuline junior Alessandra Parry, referring to the former SVC members who now play in the Federal League.
"Now that we have an easier chance this year, we want to put it away like we need to," Parry said. "If we can get first place in the SVC, what makes us think we can't get anything down the road?"
Parry, who had two hits and two RBIs, played a big part in the Irish's rally from a 2-0 deficit. Her RBI triple in the sixth inning plated senior Staci Ziobert with the go-ahead run.
"Alessandra Parry has stepped it up at the plate and on defense in center field," Kernan said. "She's just been hammering the ball."
Emotions running high
On an emotional day, junior Maureen Cearfoss (10-2) protected that lead, pitching a complete game while allowing three hits.
Cearfoss decided late in the day to play the game while thinking of her aunt, who had become seriously ill.
"That's the kind of kid she is -- a competitor for Ursuline High School and the team," Kernan said. "She wasn't going to let the team down. She came out here, and the girls responded to that."
Senior Courtney Davidson, back from a two-week layoff following a knee injury, singled three times for the Irish, who rebounded from a Monday loss to Warren Harding.
"We started to doubt ourselves, wondering whether we're for real or not," Kernan said. "This game got us going in that direction, that we are [for real]."
Freshman Natalie Palermo had two hits and an RBI for Ursuline, while Ziobert added two hits and senior Jenna Vrabel an RBI single.
Strong start
It was a tough loss for Mooney junior Stefanie Grimaldi (4-2), who was perfect through the first three innings as the Cardinals took their 2-0 lead.
"We knew our lead wasn't safe, and we knew they would hit the ball," Mooney coach Mark Rinehart said. "But we were disappointed that we only came out with three hits, especially when we had those three right away."
Junior Gina Brunetti had two of Mooney's three hits, with a double and RBI. Senior Stephanie Zizzo added an RBI single.
"We're not writing the league off, because Ursuline still has to play Warren JFK two times," Rinehart said of the first-year SVC member Eagles.
"Today was a step back," Rinehart said, "but we want to continue to improve for the tournament."
richesson@vindy.com