Schools

Giaquinto leads O’Connell to softball title

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington won the 2016 WCAC softball title by defeating St. Mary’s Ryken 7-2. Senior Olivia Giaquinto (back row left) produced the winning grand slam in the 19th inning.

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The O’Connell softball team celebrates its victory over St. Mary’s Ryken in the WCAC championship game.

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After two days and 18 innings of tense softball, Bishop O’Connell senior Olivia Giaquinto hit a grand slam in the top of the 19th inning to lead the Knights past St. Mary’s Ryken 7-2 to win the WCAC softball championship.

The two schools have faced each other in the title game for the past four years, with Ryken winning the previous two thanks to the dominating pitching of conference player of the year Madie Aughinbaugh.

But after pitching 18 innings May 9 in a game that was called for darkness, Aughinbaugh was unable to come back May 10 to complete the effort.

O’Connell quickly took advantage of the situation in the top of the 19th inning by loading the bases, and senior captain Giaquinto did the rest. Sophomore pitcher Kathryn Sandercock kept Ryken in check for most of the game to earn the victory.

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