As the York softball team prepared to start regional competition in the 3A playoffs, coach Jenna Nolan was working to make sure that her players were ready for the tough road ahead and ensure their season wouldn’t end prematurely.
“We need to learn from our mistakes and learn from our at-bats,” Nolan said. “Everything for us is going to be a learning experience, and we need to use that to get better.”
The Dukes received a hard lesson on Wednesday, May 18, as an elite Oak Park-River Forest team took advantage of their lapses on defense and at the plate in a 15-2 rout.
The Dukes (14-8 after the game) fell behind early and struggled to close the gap while little mistakes piled up. They struggled to hit consistently, scattering seven hits and stranding six baserunners. The Dukes’ mistakes in the field ruined an otherwise solid performance from freshman pitcher Julia Derkowski, who struck out 10 and walked three in the loss.
The Dukes’ best chance to get back in the game occurred in the third inning, when the Dukes stranded runners at second and third.
“That was a key moment,” Nolan said. “We had some of our big hitters coming up and we couldn’t come through, and that really hurt us.”
Nolan said communication between the outfielders and infielders has been a point of emphasis to reduce mistakes and maintain positive attitudes.
Their best play against OPRF came from that developing relationship as center fielder Amanda Karnatz threw to third baseman Abby Solem to tag out an advancing runner on a fly ball for an inning-ending double play. As seniors, Karnatz and Solem will need to play large roles for the Dukes to make a deep postseason run.
“Seniors are definitely going to be key for us,” Nolan said. “When you get into the playoffs, it can be stressful and it helps having players who have been there before. This is a young team, so we really need the seniors to help guide them through this.”
Karnatz went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored against the Huskies, and sophomore right fielder Kyra Kroll went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
The Huskies (28-2 through May 18) scored in every single inning and all nine starters reached base at least once in the blowout win. They also had four home runs and eight extra-base hits in all.
“We’re a good hitting team, but the last few games have been pretty tight,” Huskies coach Mel Kolbusz said. “It’s nice to put a game like this together. It’s more relaxing.”
OPRF junior pitcher Chardonnay Harris went the distance on the mound and struck out 13. She also had a strong day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs for the Huskies.
“She is a really strong player who’s done great for us all season,” Kolbusz said.
Chris Vavra is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press