In Friday’s Class 1A, Region II semifinal softball playoff against Lake Mary Prep, Hernando Christian Academy right-hander Mary Ellen Langley found out how tough sports can be sometimes.
With the score tied 1-all going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Langley hurled a wild pitch that scored Haylie Morales from third base for the game-winner, 2-1.
The funny thing is that Langley isn't the only pitcher to ever suffer that fate.
In the 1972 National League Championship series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds in the deciding Game 5 in the ninth inning with the score tied at 5-5, Bob Moose gave up a wild pitch that scored pinch-runner George Foster with the winning run and sent the Reds to the World Series.
So the fact that what happened to Langley has happened before may be a small consolation, but the showing that her and teammates had this year bodes well for them.
"We have four seniors coming back, but with (losing) Meredith Hanshaw and Ellie, they are kind of the cornerstones of out team. So the chemistry is going to change, but it has too," said second-year HCA Head Coach Sue Murphy.
In the game, Langley gave up five hits despite having a sore arm.
"I wasn't throwing it as good as I could,” remarked Langley.
My arm was sore after throwing five innings Tuesday and I wasn't throwing as hard as I could," remarked Langley.
While the Lion senior has signed a softball scholarship to play ball next year at Pasco-Hernando Community College, this year was important for her.
"I started pitching toward the end of the year because Meredith is a good center fielder,” said Langley. “She saved us a couple of times in the game against Springstead."
But Langley also said that while she pitched in high school, she didn't think she would later.
"No, I won't be a pitcher at PHCC, I'll be a catcher there," she added.
The break down
Langley gave up a single run to Lake Mary in the second inning and then in the seventh, gave up a lead-off single by Haylie Morales.
Langley then gave up her first wild pitch to the next batter that allowed Morales to move to second with no one out.
Meghan Navarro then sacrificed Morales to third before Kim Brady put down a bunt in front of the plate that Langley fielded, but made no throw.
Then with a 0-1 count to Amanda Dudley, Langley threw the next pitch all the way to the backstop permitting Morales score the game-winning run.
Afterwards, her father and HCA assistant coach Jim Langley told reporters what he would tell his daughter after the game.
"I'll tell her I love her and that she'll be fine,” said Coach Langley. “It's just a pitch and that one didn't win or lose the game."
For Mary Ellen, who has played softball for HCA for the past seven years, the first few moments after the loss were hard.
Later when talking with the reporters, Langley did manage a laugh after being asked how many people had talked with her right after the game.
"Not mad, because people know I'm mad at myself and they understand me," she said.
While Langley has signed to play with PHCC next year, she also wants to become a personal trainer and later on transfer to the University of Florida and try to walk-on to their softball team.
Maybe her father put it best after the loss.
"She pitched some awesome ball,” remarked Coach Langley. “But you know, stuff happens."
