For the second consecutive year, the ACS Middle School Softball team finished in 1st place in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League, but shared the top spot this year with Pilgrim Academy, as both teams posted a 9-1 league record. The Middle School Baseball team finished in 3rd place in the league, starting the season with three losses, but then finishing strong with a tie and five consecutive wins. We’re proud of all of our players and coaches for posting winning seasons.
Mike Bohs, in his second year as head coach of the MS Girls’ Softball team, and Rob Barberio, in his 3rd year as head coach of the MS Boys’ Baseball team, highlighted their team’s accomplishments during the Middle School Sports Awards program on Monday, June 3. During the program, the softball team posed next to a new banner with their winning season record that will be hung on the school gym wall.
Bohs attributed the softball team’s success to amazing base running and strong pitching. 7th grader Michaela Schlemo, who was the starting pitcher, joined by 8th graders Paige Noble and Tiana Purdy-Phillips, achieved two shut-outs, two no-hitters, and one one-hit game over the season. A number of players also excelled in hitting home runs — 8th graders Alli Lushina and Noble and 7th graders Kendall Murphy and Schlemo.
“In addition to having strong pitching and hitting, another secret to our success was base running,” Bohs said. “Once our players got on base, they were hard to stop, and on many occasions they were able to steal home.” Bohs also commended 8th grader Reyna Lewis for steadily improving over the season in her new position as catcher, and even throwing out two batters trying to steal second, a rare achievement at the middle school level. Other players on the 15-member team were: Daniella Ajayi, Isabell Alford, Maddie DeNick, Rebecca DiMaio, Annia Pierre, Taylor Sutton, Annabelle Vanacker, Lillian Vanacker, and Yariah Wilkins. Bohs was assisted by faculty member George Dickson, school parent Rick Jackson, and 8th grader Jada Logan, who served as manager.
The MS Boys’ team frequently encountered rainy weather that cut four games and postponed several, with ACS winning its final game on Monday, June 3, beating Bishop McHugh 14-0. Barberio said he was very pleased with the character and positive attitude of his players throughout the season and for the way they pulled together as a team.
“The most gratifying part of the season was seeing the boys persevere through the early losses and then turn the season around,” Barberio said. A strong group of 6th graders helped contribute to the team’s success, including starting pitcher Charlie Costello and starting catcher Seth Phillips. Top hitters on the team were Robbie Barberio, Jackson Gayeski, Cruz Lewis, and Caleb Vogel. The other members of the 12-member team were: Tommy Ellison, Jake DeNick, Evan Pearson, Dylan Reilly, Jayden Sanchez, and Adam Schlundt.
Barberio also said he was very pleased to see the players grow closer in their relationships with each other and the Lord as a result of a Bible study that he hosted on Sunday nights in his home in March and April. “We talked about what’s important in life is not how many home runs you hit, but finding your identity in Christ and learning to be a godly leader,” Barberio said. Barberio, in his 3rd year as head coach, was assisted by school parent Jason Lewis.