CHANGE MY LOCATION
Los Angeles Examiners
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Examiner
Most Recent Post
No place for Moseley in Angels’ playoff rotation (thank God); Scioscia still must drop a starter
Seton’s sister act
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: Bladensburg, Md.
)
Elizabeth Seton softball players Kelsey, right, and Erin Sheehan, sisters and starting infielders for the Roadrunners.
Bladensburg, Md. (Map, News) - There aren’t many times when Elizabeth Seton infielders — and sisters — Kelsey and Erin Sheehan don’t talk softball.
“We spend time talking about what we need to do ourselves and as a team and what we can do to help the team,” Kelsey Sheehan said. “Whether we’re on the field, after the game, or in the car on the way home, we’re talking about it constantly.”
Last year those conversations were simply about hopes for a better season, as the Roadrunners finished a dismal 7-11. But now the talk has been increasingly optimistic as the Sheehans have helped Seton (11-10, 6-7 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference) move closer to becoming a true contender in the WCAC.
Six of the Roadrunners’ seven conference losses were by two runs or less, which has been hard on Kelsey and Erin, who play shortstop and second base, respectively, and are Seton’s team leaders on and off the field.
“It’s been tough losing by one and knowing that you are a main part of the team because you have to stay up,” said Kelsey Sheehan, a junior. “You can’t stay down and everyone’s constantly watching you. You have to stay up, and if you have a bad game, you just have to let that go.”
“I think they’ve responded well [to the pressure,]” said Roadrunners coach Rita Horning. “Kelsey, whether she knows it or not, has been a leader since she was a freshman, being aggressive, being a leader by example. Now playing shortstop, she’s the leader on the field the whole time. She’s adapted pretty well to it, whether she knows it or not.”
After batting ninth and playing in the outfield as a freshman last season, Erin Sheehan, a sophomore, has become her older sister’s partner on offense and defense.
Both Sheehans let their play speak as loud as their attitudes. Not only do they line up side-by-side in the infield, they also bat first and second, setting the tone for the offense.
“Because [Erin] bats behind me, I’m so used to her moving me around. I get on base and I don’t have to worry about stealing because she’s going to get the ball down, and there’s no way I’m going to be out,” said Kelsey Sheehan.
Kelsey and Erin accounted for five of Seton’s eight runs in Monday’s 8-5, come-from-behind win over St. Mary’s-Ryken, a win that could foreshadow future success.
“We just started hitting, we got bunts down, we stole bases, and our defense backed the offense up,” said Kelsey Sheehan. “It went both ways, and it was definitely the best game I’ve ever seen us play.”
Stat sheet
» Kelsey Sheehan: .417 batting average, 14 RBIs, 25 runs scored
» Erin Sheehan: .458 batting average, 10 RBIs, .650 OBP, nine stolen bases
Comments from Examiner Readers
12:56 PM MST on Fri., May. 25, 2007 re: "Let the tournament begin"
Report as inappropriate
9:57 PM MST on Thu., May. 3, 2007
re: "Einstein a welcome edition"
Report as inappropriate
10:38 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 26, 2007
re: "Sherwood passes its test"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
As a Wakefield parent, I find your article "Let the tournament begin" appauling. Why not describe the other schools as being smacked around. I'm sure they had some blow outs.
274 agree | 287 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Do you cover DC softball teams? DC College softball? Note the Post today has an article on three top teams: Maret, National Cathedral and Georgetown Visitation... Two loses between three excellent teams beating suburban teams featuring players from local travel softball teams with college prospects... Why go so far from DC for our high school teams when you have plenty within the Beltway to feature? Many DC Examiner readers in the far out rural areas? Good paper with local focus is why I read it. Thanks...
618 agree | 343 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Katie and Dana have a really good connection together....and I'm sure will continue ...
673 agree | 388 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree