‘Goon Squad’ is ready for state

May 30, 2012 at 12:09a.m.

VIENNA

Mathews High junior third baseman Jacki Rhine says preparing for the Mustangs’ first state appearance are moments to cherish.

“We’ve been trying for so many years, from [summer] ball to high school and I wouldn’t want to be here with any other girls because we’re a family,” said Rhine on Tuesday as the Mustangs prepared for Thursday’s Division IV state semifinal game against Covington.

“We call each other ‘The Goon Squad’ for a reason, because we always have each others’ backs,” Rhine said.

Junior catcher Hollie Shreves described this week as being “surreal, almost.

“I used to envy the Poland and Champion girls because I’m friends with a few of them through travel ball,” said Shreves, one of the Mustangs’ four three-year starters. “I used to say, ‘Man, I wish that was me, I wish we were still playing.’

“For us to still be playing now is crazy — words can’t even explain.”

Junior shortstop Jessica Marsico said last week’s regional wins over Jackson-Milton and Akron’s Our Lady of the Elms have the Mustangs soaring.

“It was really like an ego boost,” Marsico said. “We are ready for state.”

The other returning starters are junior center fielder Tabby Granelly and sophomore first baseman Maddi Grimes.

Shreves credits head coach Jim Nicula and his staff (Mark Grimes, Bill Eggens, Steve Sponsler and Amanda Arnal) for guidance.

“Our success is a lot due to our coaches and how much they pushed because they knew we were good, they knew we were better than [we were achieving],” Shreves said.

Rhine said, “It’s been more of a structured [environment]. I think we’ve developed more good habits and maybe broke bad habits that we had.”

Nicula blended the core from a team that made two straight regional appearances with a talented freshmen class led by pitcher Cheyenne Eggens (23-3).

“Midway through the season, we knew things had come together real well,” said Nicula, crediting Eggens for blossoming into a strong pitcher. “We needed to see how Cheyenne would fare against other teams with top-notch pitching and how our [other] younger kids would battle.”

In the opener against Div. I Howland, The Goon Squad gave up four unearned runs in a 5-4 loss.

“We just keep moving forward,” Rhine said. “If an error happens, we just pick each other up, brush it off because it’s not a big deal.

“Because we know we have better things coming up for us,” Rhine said.

A win over Cardinal Mooney in game two launched a 12-game winning streak.

“Cheyenne is a really quick learner, a phenomenal pitcher,” Shreves said.

Other freshmen contributors include Maddie Williams, Maddy Nicula, Paula Sponsler, Jenna Seifert and Marisa O’Dell.

“They’ve stepped up a lot, they’ve showed us that they are ready to play and their age hasn’t been a big determining factor,” Rhine said.

Mathews-Covington will be the first of the 12 games scheduled this week at Akron’s Firestone Stadium. Thursday’s 10 a.m. start doesn’t faze these Mustangs who have been dreaming of a state berth.

“Our team usually does a breakfast to make sure we’re not waking up 15 minutes before the bus leaves,” Marsico said. “[It] sort of gets our heads into it. We’ll probably be here at 6:15 eating, waking up getting each other energized.”

Rhine doesn’t mind the early wake-up call.

“I’m a morning person, I’d rather be up,” she said.

Nicula expects a strong opponent in Covington (25-4), which was ranked fourth in the final Associated Press state poll. The Mustangs were ranked 10th.

“They are a very solid team one through nine,” Nicula said. “I’m sure we are going to have our work cut out for us.”