Change of strategy pays off for Revere softball

by Sheldon Ocker

Amy Gilmore was critical of the Revere High softball coach a year ago and vowed to do something about it. She had the opportunity to improve because she was the coach on the receiving end of her own disapproval.

“We lost the district championship last year, and I felt like I didn’t set us up for success,” she said. “We didn’t have a strong schedule, so I booked a stronger, tougher schedule this year.”

The upgraded schedule cost Revere some regular-season victories but got the team in a better, more competitive frame of mind when the postseason came around.

Gilmore conceded that the team’s record of 17-15 overall and 10-4 in the Suburban League took a beating after games against several Division I opponents (Revere is Division III) such as Walsh Jesuit, Strongsville, Medina and GlenOak, plus Division IV state semifinalist Field. Revere also traveled to Orlando, Florida, early in the season and played five games against schools from New York, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

“Our record wasn’t so great,” Gilmore said. “We were the 25th seed [of 32 teams in its bracket] because we lost like six games by one run. So it was a tough year. It was a character builder because they had to stand up to the pressure. But I think it really helped in the postseason.”

Something clicked, because Revere beat the No. 5 seed and the No. 9 seed to win the district title before losing in the next round 5-4 to Hoban, the eventual D-III state champion.

Gilmore cited the play of senior Ashley Gardner, Revere’s No. 1 pitcher, and junior Alexa Kelley, the starting shortstop, as instrumental in the team’s success.

“Ashley was our leader going into the playoffs,” Gilmore said. “She was our leader all year. She was our starting pitcher and someone all of our players looked up to. She was a phenomenal player at the plate and a fantastic pitcher.”

Gardner compiled a 3.50 earned-run average overall and a 1.90 ERA during the playoffs. For the season, she batted .340 and was fourth on team with 17 RBIs.

Gardner was named team MVP, pitcher of the year in the Suburban League and honorable mention All-District.

Kelley led the team with a .510 batting average, was No. 1 in hits (53), runs (36) and steals (18-for-18).

“She is another player all the girls looked up to,” Gilmore said.

Kelley was named to the Suburban League first team, All-District first team and was All-Ohio honorable mention.

Garnder plans to continue playing softball at Rochester University, where she intends to study engineering. Kelley will be back to play for Revere next year but expects to attend Boston University after she graduates.

Revere had two other senior starters: second baseman/outfielder Sydney Kreighbaum, who batted .385 with 27 RBIs and 22 runs; and outfielder/first baseman Angie Camardo, who batted .318.

In addition to Kelley, junior starters included outfielder Sarah Riley, who had 11 RBIs and 14 runs; catcher Mattie Diaz, who batted .330 with 24 RBIs and 19 runs; first baseman/pitcher Natalee Rodriguez and sometimes starting infielder Gianna Derubeis.

Sophomore Jillian Hodgson was the everyday center fielder.