By Paul Willis
Players and coaches scoff at the trend, but it is becoming too glaring to ignore.
The Erie-Holy Family softball rivalry, while full of the spirit and competitive edge requisite of any legitimate rivalry, has an odd stigma attached.
In the past three seasons, the teams have met in the regular season and again in the Class 3A championship game.
Colorado prep softball began this week.
Each time, the team that lost the regular-season tilt won the rematch in the title game. (The teams have met in four consecutive state championships overall but did not meet in the regular season in 2005).
So, what does that say for the winner when the teams meet for a nonleague game at Erie on Sept. 22?
“I tend to think that it’s pretty fluky, actually,” said Erie coach Bob Blesoe, whose teams has defeated Holy Family in 2005, ’07 and last season in the championship. “It’s not like a team is trying to lose that first game so they can win the second. The perception is that if one happens then the other happens. I’m not buying into that.”
Sure, it’s probably merely an eccentric, oddball statistical trend, but perhaps something valid resides in it. Perhaps it refocuses the losing team. Perhaps the winning team feels a bit too secure the next time the teams meet. Maybe it’s that both teams are nicknamed the Tigers.
“It’s really weird, but I think it’s coincidence more than anything,” said Erie junior pitcher Mariah Bledsoe, who has defeated Holy Family in the past two title games – after losing to Holy Family each time in the regular season, of course.
Holy Family coach Glen Ramos also used “fluky” when describing the trend, but then he was asked if he would remind his team of the past three seasons if his team won the regular-season matchup.
“Of course,” Ramos said with a laugh. “You definitely use that to your advantage. Every piece of information you can get your hands on is helpful.”
Conversely, Ramos said he wouldn’ t bring it up if Holy Family lost the regular-season game, “because the girls would already know they have to refocus.”
This is all relevant because it’s more than conceivable that the teams could oppose one other for the title once again. Erie, which has won 10 of 12 titles since 3A became a classification, is stacked.
In addition to Bledsoe in the pitching circle, the Tigers return middle infielder Jordan Ruiz, third baseman Sasha Fong, first baseman Brittany Maul and outfielder Haley David (who could move to the infield).
All were key components of the last season’s title squad.
Holy Family must replace key losses at pitcher, catcher and in the infield, but the cupboards are not bare. Center fielder Rachel Boothe will move to the primary pitcher role, and starters Rachel Wild (shortstop), Daiva Jarasius (left field), Amy Baumberger (first base) and Beth Peterson (right field) also return.
Youngsters Monique Gonzalez (center field), Caitlin Krenz (third base) and Mariah Turney (second base) also will join the lineup. Lara Mathewson, who just finished a standout four-year career at Holy Family at second base, was so impressed with the freshman Turney at second base in practices that she gave Ramos her No. 4 jersey back and instructed him to give it to Turney.
What is certain is both of these teams are still solid. What remains to be seen is whether the team that wins the regular-season game cheers or cringes.
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