The Walsh Jesuit Warriors softball team wrapped up their season with a strong showing, finishing with an impressive 22-1 record. Led by head coach Tony Scibelli and standout seniors including Natalie Susa and Sienna Tepley, the team displayed skill and unity, dominating their conference with a perfect 5-0 record and maintaining an unbeaten streak at home.
Reflecting on the team’s success, University of Minnesota commit Natalie Susa shared, “Every year that I’ve had a team, we’ve been special. We’ve been real close, but I think that the friendships we have off the field translate to on the field. We invested early, and it’s showing off now, and I think that just is a difference.”
Their season’s highlights included a significant 10-0 victory over Riverside in the regional semifinals, demonstrating their defensive and offensive skills. However, their championship aspirations were cut short by Austintown Fitch in the regional finals, marking the only weak spot on their otherwise perfect season record.
Caleigh Shaulis, another key player, mentioned the team’s camaraderie, “We love one another so much, and we cheer each other on. We battle adversity, too, so I think our connections with each other and just being well-rounded overall is what makes us really good.”
The Warriors’ achievements were also recognized on a larger scale, placing them among the nation’s elite on the USA Today Sports NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings. Their season was marked by impressive stats, including a .393 team batting average, successful completion of 63 out of 64 stolen base attempts, and a robust 1.035 OPS. Key players such as McKayla McGee (.474 BA, 33 RBIs) and Army West Point bound Tepley, who excelled at base-stealing, were pivotal.
Coach Scibelli expressed pride in the team’s atmosphere and achievements, “I feel like everything is moving in the right direction and it’s just different. There’s just a different vibe, and we come to the field having fun, looking to have fun. We’re loose and just enjoying each other.”
As the team bids farewell to its graduating seniors, the future looks bright with promising underclassmen ready to step up. The departing players leave behind a legacy of dedication and achievement that will absolutely inspire future softball Warriors.
Reflecting on the season, Coach Scibelli shared that “this is the end of a chapter, but not the whole story. We made memories for a lifetime.”
