By PATRICK YASINSKAS
SPRING HILL — For the Springstead High softball team, Senior Night was hardly typical routine of recognizing upperclassmen in a pregame ceremony. But, with one seemingly small gesture, Coach Craig Swartout made sure it was a special night for his only senior.
With two outs in the seventh inning, Swartout brought in senior pitcher Ava Miller to record the final Cypress Creek out as the Coyotes defeated the Eagles, 5-0, in the regular-season finale for both teams Wednesday night. The coach and player shared an emotional moment on the mound in a fitting tribute to Miller’s stellar four-year career.
When it was all over, Swartout requested that assistant coach Abby Berley handle the post-game interview in his place.
“Coach felt it was only right that Ava finish her last home game and her last regular-season game on the mound,” Berley said. “She’s our only senior and she’s a very special player. She’s been a strong, strong member of this team for four years. She’s been a natural leader for this team.”
Miller actually was the starting pitcher for the host Eagles, who finished the regular season at 13-7. But Cypress Creek (8-9) started strong with a two-run first inning. They Coyotes sandwiched three singles around a pair of fielders’ choices that drove in both runs. Cypress Creek extended the lead to 5-0 with a three-run third inning. Oakley Riley led off the inning with a single and Lily Briscoe followed with a double. Emily Bowling then doubled to drive them both home and Alijeah Lopez added an RBI single.
With two outs in the top of the third, Swartout pulled Miller and brought in her sister, sophomore Alivia Miller, to pitch. With Ava Miller moving to first base, Alivia Miller worked her way out of the inning as junior catcher Rachel Rivera threw out Bowling attempting to steal second. base. But the damage already had been done. Alivia Miller then held the Coyotes scoreless in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings and retired the first two batters in the seventh inning.
That’s when Swartout called timeout and motioned for Ava Miller to return to the mound and the player and coach shared a hug. After allowing a pair of singles, Ava Miller then recorded the final Cypress Creek out.
Bowling pitched an outstanding game for Cypress Creek. She allowed only a first-inning infield single by Ava Miller, a second-inning infield single by Alivia Miller, a fifth-inning single by Audrina Savarese and a seventh inning double by Kaylana Lyons. Bowling recorded nine strikeouts.
“We didn’t get the bats going tonight,” Berley said. “That’s been a problem for us this season. We’ve had our hits and misses. Some nights, we’ve hit the ball well. And some nights we haven’t hit the ball. Tonight, we didn’t hit the ball well.”
The Eagles ended the regular season on a three-game losing streak, but their season is not over. They’ll enter the district playoffs Tuesday night, although their opponent has yet to be determined. Berley said she’s optimistic that the start of the postseason will provide a spark for the Eagles.
“We’ve had our ups and downs this season,” Berley said. “We’ve been striving all year to develop a family feel and this is a strong group that wants to play together. You see them still out there giving talks and giving hugs after the coaches have talked to them. That’s the kind of attitude you want to see.”
