Down two runs, the powerhouse Bishop O’Connell softball team stormed back against upstart Holy Cross on April 3, in well — a storm. While the Knights’ bats got hot late, both teams’ were shivering amid freezing rain and sleet.
And that’s one of the few games that undefeated O’Connell could squeak in during a rain-saturated start to the spring season.
Take a glance at any of local teams’ schedules. Less than a third of the way through the year, and the sports calendar has been chocked full of postponements, weather delays and front-loaded frustration.
“I don’t think you can find a tempo or where you’re going because the rain has destroyed any of that,” said Knights head coach Tommy Orndorff.
In the past two weeks, the cold rain has delayed tilts against Washington Catholic Athletic Conference foes St. John’s, Paul IV and Elizabeth Seton. The games have been rescheduled, and will be made up during doubleheaders later in the season.
For coaches like Orndorff, that only further exacerbates the early-season mess.
During a nine-day span starting on Thursday, O’Connell is scheduled to play nine games. With only five games over the first 22 days of the season, the mid-season push has potential to one, tire his team too early, and two, delay or cancel games against public school powers like Centreville (April 12), Madison (April 26) and Yorktown (May 3)
“It’s disappointing,” Orndorff said. “We’re looking at six-game weeks. The idea is to peak at the end, not kill you’re team getting there.”
For now, though, the Knights are still in top form.
O’Connell has four shutouts en route to their 5-0 overall record, and 3-0 WCAC record.
Senior right-hander Colleen Carty (5-0) has only given up one earned run (the Knights have only given up two runs through four games) in 31 innings.
For the season, the ace has a 0.23 earned run average, a .185 opposing hitting percentage and 38 strikeouts to just three walks. Against Holy Cross, she notched 10 strikeouts and got the complete game.
At the plate, Orndorrf called fellow Division I signee Devon Metcalf “probably the best player [thus far].” Metcalf, a senior third baseman is hitting .647 (11-for-17), and has a double, triple and home run.
Her RBI triple was probably the largest hit of the season to date, as it erased a 2-0 deficit against Holy Cross.
Freshman catcher Sophie Giaquinto is hitting .500, with all seven of her hits being singles. Sarah Eidt is batting .471 and has a home run.
“I’m certainly pleased because we can’t be any better than where we’re at right now,” Orndorrf said.