High School Softball:
Gloucester Catholic Snatches Victory Away From Camden Catholic

Tuesday, May 30, 2000

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

The highly regarded Camden Catholic softball team had everything going their way during their successful 2000 season. Behind their ace pitcher Sarah O'Malley, they had tabulated an impressive 24-3 record. Standing in their way to a South Jersey Parochial A title were the Gloucester Catholic Lady Rams. To everyone's surprise, outfielder Desiree Wilson made an amazing catch in the outfield and doubled off the runner at second to preserve a 1-0 victory over the Irish in nine innings.

Brianne Tobin for the Rams and her opponent O'Malley were pretty much even in the pitching statistics through the regulation seven innings. With each team unable to put runs on the scoreboard, the pitchers behind their defenses were having their way. Both pitchers had seven strikeouts each, and only allowed a total of seven hits at the end of seven innings. The slight edge went to the Rams, who had stranded four runners in scoring position while Camden Catholic left only one.

The tension was definitely building as the fans and the players were anticipating each batter would come through with the big hit to end the game. On a day when the temperatures dipped a bit on the chilly side, the game began to heat up on every strike called and runner thrown out. Everyone would have to wait until the ninth inning in which the game was decided.

At the top of the inning, Gloucester Catholic's Chrissy MacDonald, pinch running for Lindsay Porter, stole second. The Rams players were again anticipating and thinking that one run could win this game. Up to the plate came Tobin who grounded out and an attempt to pick off MacDonald was made. The errant throw at second went into the outfield that allowed the first and only run of the game to score. The Irish would threaten in the bottom of the ninth, but Wilson tracked down a deep line drive to seal the victory and advance Gloucester Catholic into the next round of the playoffs.

Photos by Art Redd