Rinaldi’s cycle powers Mooney over Hubbard

May 10, 2019 at 12:05a.m.

Cardinals clinch

berth in loaded

Division II district

BOARDMAN

Knowing her four-year varsity career is one loss from being over, Cardinal Mooney senior catcher Conchetta Rinaldi said the mindset for Thursday’s sectional final against Hubbard “was survive and advance.”

Rinaldi did her part and then some, batting for the cycle in a 9-2 Division II tournament victory at the Fields of Dreams.

The win sends the Cardinals (20-4) to Tuesday’s district semifinals which includes three teams ranked in the Top 10 of this week’s state poll of Division II schools (Poland, Ursuline and West Branch).

“We definitely have the hardest district,” Rinaldi said. “It’s all about who makes the fewest errors and who hits the ball.”

Mooney coach Mark Rinehart praised the advancing teams.

“Find another [district] with four 20-win teams who have played the schedules we play around here,” Rinehart said.

The Cardinals will play undefeated Poland at Youngstown State University’s Softball Complex.

In the regular season, Poland beat Hubbard twice in very different ball games.

“The first game against Poland didn’t go so well,” Hubbard coach Joe Zagorec said of a five-inning romp. “The second game, we went 13 innings.”

Poland won, 7-4.

“It was a very good game,” said Zagorec, who has no seniors on the Eagles (14-9). “We’ve had our ups and downs this season, but I’m very proud of how they matured.”

Rinehart started freshman pitcher Alaina Francis.

“She’s got all kinds of potential ... is growing into her role,” Rinehart said. “We gave her the ball in a tournament game because we felt she’s earned it.

“She’s stood up and done the job for us.”

Francis admitted she felt butterflies in her stomach before she retired the first three Eagles.

“I was really nervous,” Francis said. “I was just happy to have my team behind me — it’s a really good feeling.”

So was a quick 2-0 lead courtesy of Rinaldi in her first at-bat. Lead-off hitter C.J. Sapp reached base on an error then scored on Rinaldi’s one-out homer.

The Cardinals added four runs in the second inning, with Rinaldi contributing an RBI double.

In the third inning, Hubbard’s Emily Filicky reached first on an infield hit and scored when Jackie Adler got on base thanks to an error.

Mooney added three runs in the fifth inning for a 9-1 lead, with Rinaldi hitting a run-scoring triple. Carly Francis also drove in a run with a single.

Grace Narkum scored Hubbard’s other run in the sixth inning, coming home on a groundout by Hannah Kist.

Alaina Francis scattered five hits, striking out four and walking two. She credited Rinaldi’s presence behind the plate for guidance.

“I love catching because I’m a part of every play no matter what,” said Rinaldi, who has played shortstop a few times this season. “I love being able to work with Alaina. I’ve watched her grow all season and Alaina is gonna kill it [the rest of her varsity career].”

Because of tonight’s prom, the Cardinals have a two-day break. They will be practicing Sunday afternoon even though it’s Mother’s Day.

“We’re just doing anything to prepare,” Rinaldi said. “We’re a great team when we have all the pieces, and we definitely have them.”