Legendary Basketball Coach Jim Valvano coined the phrase “survive and advance” in regards to postseason play. St. Edmond Softball took a page out of Jimmy V’s playbook in their playoff opener on Wednesday night. The Gaels edged Ar-We-Va 4-3 in a high drama affair at Rogers Park to stay alive in the post season.

St. Edmond struck first scoring in the 1st, Ar-We-Va answered with two in the 2nd. The Gaels knotted it up at 2 with a run in the 4th. Ar-We-Va went ahead 3-2 with a run in the 5th. Kacey Kruthoff would lead things off for St. Edmond in the 6th.

Brian Peters on the call as Kruthoff triple and then scored on an error. Lauren Gibb then got on base, she was moved bunted into scoring position on a sacrifice by Ella Vratny. That set the stage for Hadley Oswald.

The Oswald single drove in the go-ahead run for St. Edmond. The Gaels would hold Ar-We-Va in the 7th to take the win.

Kaili Henning and Ella Vratny combined for a big time postseason pitching performance. Vratny started the game and went 4 innings allowing 2 runs on just two hits. Henning got the in in relief throwing 3 innings allowing just one run on two hits.

St. Edmond “survives and advances” to the next round of the playoffs. they will play Friday at #1 Newell-Fonda. You can hear the game, a 7 Pm 1st pitch on 99.7 and here on our website.