A few tinks were different for SJCC softball in district final win

Two tinks were different.

It was a softball game, so you heard bats tink all evening. The first tink that stood out was orchestrated by by a home run swing from Stella Thomas for the go-ahead tally in the third inning in three-seed St. Joseph Central Catholic's 6-3 victory Thursday over top seed Danbury for a district crown in Division IV.

The Crimson Streaks (12-13) play Vienna Mathews in a regional semifinal.

"Sometimes when you hear it off the bat, you know," SJCC coach Chad Black said of Thomas' bomb. "That was sweet. She's been solid with the hard work she puts in."

She added a double earlier in the game.

"Ellie Fish is a good pitcher, it felt good to hit one off her," she said of her blast. "In a district final was great. We were determined."

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Thomas also tossed a complete game in the circle. She tries to focus on channeling energy one play at a time.

"Danbury is a good hitting team, so I had to use movement and stay low," she said. "Our hitting got us this win; extra batting practice."

Thomas throws a fastball, changeup, drop ball, curve and rise ball, reaching about 59 mph max. She was varsity pitcher as a freshman.

"My mental game has improved; I used to struggle finishing games," she said. "I'm able to stay calm in pressure situations. I've learned about being a teammate and uplifting others."

The other thing, err, tink that was different came from a Danbury bat. Center fielder Avery Naderer ran a long way, sprawled for a catch and scrambled to her feet to throw a runner out straying from first base for a double play.

"She broke hard on the ball, went all out," Black said. "She made an excellent play on the ball for a catch. She listened to her teammates and made a strong throw with her strong arm."

The Lakers (18-11) didn't score after Thomas' home run harnessed momentum.

"Stella is our most valuable player," Black said. "She brings experience, she leads by example. This is her craft, she works hard."

Maddie Militello and Gabby Santiago each scored in the fifth inning. Ellison Holbrook had an RBI single.

SJCC won eight games when Thomas was a freshman and 15 last season.

"They're excellent teammates, not just as ballplayers but they're wonderful young ladies with great personalities," Black said. "They are tremendous young ladies. It makes me proud the type of adults they're going to be. They pride themselves on including everyone and being a good teammate."

First tinks first.

mhorn@gannett.com

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