Chargers coach Quinn keeping loss in perspective after back-to-back playoff appearances
FOX CHAPEL — Veteran Our Lady of the Sacred Heart softball coach Dave Quinn wasn’t going to allow one game change his philosophy.
Even though the Chargers were mercy-ruled and no-hit in three innings by seventh-seeded Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs, 15-0, he wasn’t going to dwell on what his team didn’t get done.
“We made the playoffs for the second straight year and I don’t know that has ever happened at OLSH,” said Quinn, whose team finished 6-7 overall.
“We lost four players from last year’s team and three of them are now playing in college. That caliber of player isn’t easy to replace, and we didn’t get a lot of chances to practice this spring because of the weather.
“These girls played hard but they came up against a great team that hit the ball hard and played well.”
North Catholic showed its hitting ability early and often, sending eight batters to the plate in the first inning, 12 in the second, and seven in the third before the 15th run scored to end the game.
Leadoff hitter Toni Schaeffer had four hits, including a triple, as the Trojans amassed 16 hits, and OLSH contributed to their cause with six errors.
“North Catholic forced our hand with as well as they played, but I’m still proud of this team,” said Quinn. “We’d like to have played 18 games and come in more experienced, but that didn’t happen.
“We’ll give the girls a little time off to play with their travel teams and come back in August and start working again.
“This team works very hard. Teams may beat us because they’re better but not because they work harder.”