Loomis, O’Hara show their strength against Bonner & Prendergast

UPPER DARBY — A softball game between Cardinal O’Hara and Bonner & Prendergast usually requires fans to hold onto their seats and bite their fingernails.

It normally means that runs come at a premium, so every at-bat necessitates extra focus and attention. Most of the time, the winner of Lions vs. Pandas comes down to the final inning, sometimes the last pitch.

None of that was the case Tuesday afternoon.

The visiting Lions swung early and often, pounced on several B&P fielding miscues, and ran away with a 15-0 victory.

O’Hara remains the team to beat in the Catholic League. The Lions improved to 9-0 against conference foes, with a big challenge awaiting them Thursday when they host second-place Archbishop Ryan.

Tuesday’s rivalry game was a laugher. O’Hara batted around three times in four innings and accrued 12 base knocks. To be fair, Bonner & Prendie is rebuilding after a successful two-year run. The Pandas qualified for the PIAA Class 4A tournament two straight seasons and won a Catholic League championship in 2017. You can bet they are only getting better.

For now, it’s O’Hara’s time to shine.

Leading the way was Maggie Loomis, who was the spark atop of O’Hara’s lineup. The junior pitcher was 2-for-2 with a walk, two RBIs and four runs scored. She reached base all four times.

“They’re obviously still a very good team, no matter who they lose to,” said Loomis, who allowed only two singles and struck out two in an abbreviated, four-inning complete game shutout. “But we work hard.”

Yes, they sure do. In fact, the Lions didn’t stop working after a 17-0 drubbing of Bishop McDevitt Monday afternoon. After that blowout win, the Lions stuck around to take extra batting practice to prepare for Tuesday’s contest with the Pandas.

“Mr. (Bob) Milliken had us taking some batting practice to prep for this game and I think it really helped us,” Loomis said with a refernece to O’Hara’s head coach. “I feel like with all of our preparation, it really got us ready for this game and the entire season.”

What’s scary about the Lions is their depth. No matter who’s hitting where in the order, the Lions have confidence they can produce runs and extra-base hits. For example, nine-hole hitter Julia Mirarchi had two hits, including an RBI single, and worked a walk. She scored twice.

Leah DiGiadomenico, hitting eighth, singled and scored two runs. No. 7 hitter Alyssa Daly smoked a pitch to the hill in left field for a double and also scored a run.

So it’s not just the top and middle of the order that is doing damage for the Lions, it’s everyone.

“We have been doing really well,” said Jenna Smith, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. “Everyone is hitting the ball and we’re just playing (well) together.”

Loomis began the game with a hot shot that went through the wickets of the shortstop for an error. Julia Kush hit what should have been a sacrifice fly, but reached on an error, to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. Allison Ahern, batting cleanup, ripped a line drive RBI single and Smith followed with a run-scoring triple. Later in the inning, Kush drove in a run with a single. By the time the Lions had made three outs, they were ahead, 8-0. At that point, the game felt over. There would be no O’Hara-Prendie drama this time.

Madison Thompson and Erin Grogan each singled for the Pandas (7-9, 4-6).

“I feel like this year, our motivation is a lot stronger,” Loomis said. “We always are hungry. Mr. Milliken, down at third base, his enthusiasm can be heard and felt all around. It’s definitely been a big help.

“Everyone brings their part to the table and everyone has the ability to be successful. We all kind of depend on each other for that energy and motivation. It’s pretty cool.”

Loomis said she already has a couple offers to continue her softball career in college. Her big sister, Emily, an All-Delco infielder at O’Hara, hit .432 with a .541 slugging percentage at Eastern University this season.

The Lions have used a timeshare in the circle with Loomis and Smith. Unfortunately for Smith, she suffered a hand injury and was unable to pitch in recent games, but expects to be available to throw Thursday against Ryan. Smith played right field Tuesday.

The Lions sent 10 batters to the plate in the third inning and scored four runs on four hits. DiGiadomenico, Mirarchi, Loomis and Grace Hussey began the rally with four consecutive singles. In the fourth, the Lions batted around a third and final time. Ahern and Smith slugged RBI singles to make it 15-0.

“We’re all trying to take it one game at a time,” Loomis said. “Mr. Milliken said at the beginning of the season, our goal is to make playoffs and get as far as we can. I still feel like that’s our one mindset. We just want to get as far as we can, but also stay hungry for the next win.”