AKRON — As the rain fell on Firestone Stadium and the time for the first pitch came and went, Mount Vernon softball Coach, Ryan Pentz told his players, “This is just another case of adversity for us to overcome.”
All season, Pentz has emphasized overcoming adversity. On Sunday afternoon, the Yellow Jackets were unable to overcome that final obstacle as they fell to Painesville Riverside in the state District II Championship game, 8-6.
After a 90-minute weather delay, Pentz said his team was ready and focused.
“You know, you get excited, ready to play, you loosen up and are ready to take infield practice and then there is this delay,” Pentz said.
Rain, a nearly 140-mile round trip and the weather delay did not keep the Mount Vernon faithful from filling the grandstand behind home plate at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
After the trophies and medallions had been distribute, Pentz took his team to the backstop behind home plate and pointed to the hundreds of soaking wet fans.
“I wanted the girls to look up there and see all of these people, how far they have come and what support they have had,” Pentz said.
Another teachable moment came before the start of the sixth inning. Jocelyn Scarbury was in the pitcher’s circle when Riverside exploded for five runs. Pentz took a walk out the first base line with his arm around his pitcher.
“I won’t talk about exactly what was said, but generally, she was frustrated and we wanted to get her emotions under control,” the coach said.
Despite the defeat, Pentz was able to reflect on a memorable season.
“This is a special group of girls and I am proud of them and love each and everyone of them,” he said.
Not all of what went on was totally serious. During the weather delay, a bright yellow softball rolled from the Riverside dugout to the Mount Vernon dugout. The ball was taken inside for a moment and then returned.
After several revolutions of the ball going back and forth, Pentz smiled and said, “They are playing tic-tac-toe.”
On the brighter side, the Mount Vernon Yellow Jacket Mascot did win the dance contest over the Riverside Beaver, judged largely on the amount of applause generated by the mascot.
While not claiming to have a crystal ball, Pentz said he could sense this squad would be one to remember early in the year.
“I told my coaches, ‘ This season could be something special,’ ” he said.
Special it was.