Mooney to play Clippers

Mooney and Columbiana faced difficult games to reach the district final.
GREENFORD -- Very diverse journeys have put both the Cardinal Mooney and Columbiana softball teams in a position to make school history; unfortunately, only one will walk away with the title of district champion.
In the first semifinal game Tuesday, Mooney came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat United, 7-6.
It was a battle of the bats and United scored three runs in the third inning to take the lead.
"There was a lot of anxious moments," said Mooney coach Mark Rinehart. "It's real easy for a team to press, get rattled, and get nervous, but we didn't do that."
Mooney didn't panic, and answered with a few hits of their own, scoring two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to take the lead and keep it for the rest of the game.
United never folded, though, and led off the seventh inning with two singles. The Cardinals made a pitching change, bringing in senior Stefanie Grimaldi who, under the pressure of a one-run game, ended the inning with a strikeout. The tying run remained stranded on first.
"Our schedule helps us in games like these," said Rinehart. "We play a lot of Division I and Division II schools and moments of anxiousness are nothing they are not used to.
"Halfway through the game I didn't know if we'd be back for [today]."
Defensive composure was certainly recognized, but it was not the only factor; United errors helped out.
"We made crucial fielding and mental errors," said United coach Janet Sheets. "If we make routine plays I have to believe we probably win the game."
Columbiana wins
In a game very differently styled and paced, Columbiana, behind junior pitcher Kristina Davidson, eliminated Waterloo, 1-0.
The victory put them in a position no Clipper team has previously been in.
"This was a goal they had at the beginning of the year," said Columbiana coach Bonnie Wilkinson. "Now that they've made it, I just hope they are not content with it."
Davidson, as well as Waterloo pitcher Jen Graham, fought in a game that remained scoreless until the sixth inning. A single by Columbiana's Jeni Fast followed by a walk put two runners on base.
Davidson not only led the team on defense but came up with a big hit to center field, scoring Fast from second.
"I needed that hit for get my confidence back," said Davidson. She admitted to being in a hitting slump for about two weeks, but she came through when the Clipper offense was hurting.
"Fortunately our defense won the ball game for us," said Wilkinson. "We didn't hit the ball and were reaching for things all night. We were not real patient."
Mooney enters today's final with a 17-8 record, which Rinehart believes is deceiving because of the schedule. Wilkinson also credits the tough competition her team has played and is grateful for how strong the Tri-County League was this season.
Mooney, who tallied nine hits, will look to break down the Clipper defense, and Columbiana hopes for a better hitting performance.
"We are a good hitting team," said Wilkinson. "I can only hope we find some sticks before tomorrow."