Binghamton--The best little softball program in New York celebrated on
the big stage for the fourth time in five years yesterday. But this
state Class D title felt different for Chapel Field. This was a brand
new feeling for these 10 players. Heck--there was only a handful who
were on last year's team that lost in the semifinals.
A sophomore pitcher, two freshman and an eighth grader in the field. A
team that wasn't sure it was going anywhere after a 2-1 loss to Chester
to open the season. "We didn't have that bond"
sophomore pitcher Alyssa Brognano said, "but we started pretty
much as the team got smaller" They had to. Bill Spanjer,
Jr usually carries at least 11 players. But after losing three players
to injury, discipline and a transfer, the coach was scrambling just to
make sure he had a starting nine. And his players were cringing every
time one of them got hit with a ball, or cramped up. Yet there they were, at the BAGSAI Softball Complex, with another title in their sights.
First, Chapel Field (18-4) hung a first inning five-spot on undefeated
Crown Point en route to a 10-0 semifinal wipeout. That meant a final
date with Afton, the defending champs who denied Chapel Field a
four-peat last year in the semi-finals. The schools met 5 times, the
only time Chapel Field came out a winner was in the 2005 final.
Brognano was so nervous, "I couldn't keep my hand
still"; But once Chapel Field put up a run on a throwing error
in the top of the first, she was herself again: cool and consistent,
from her surgical control to the footlong turkey sub with lettuce and
olives she got at Subway in between yesterday's semifinal and final.
"Every time", she said. "She likes to
act like it's no big deal (pitching)," her catcher, Jackie
Roebuck said. "But when she walks a batter or gives up a hit,
the next pitch hurts my hand" It was the sixth inning
before Afton (24-4) managed a hit. And when Brognano fanned Afton's
Marie Loher for strikeout number 9 and the final out of a 2-0 win those
10 players formed a joyous, little circle on the diamond. Different players. Different paths. Same result.
"They share a passion for excellence and winning
Spanjer said of each championship group."When I ask them to
turn it on, they do it. We may not always win, but they always do
it." The winner's medals were handed out, the celebration
pictures taken. Before each of Chapel Field's 10 players left the field
yesterday, they knelt and scooped up a pile of infield dirt and put it
in a water bottle. "Just to remember"Roebuck said "You have a part of it forever"
