SJ Sports: Chiefs Hit the Road

Not even a heavy downpour could put a damper on the Cherokee softball team's bi-annual trek to State College (Pa.) in late April. The Chiefs' venture is part vacation and part business trip that weaves together in a perfect scenario.

There's the camaraderie of a four and a half hour bus ride. The slumber-party atmosphere of staying with a host family. The sightseeing tour of Penn State University and pictures with the historic Nittany Lion. Oh yeah, there's even some premier softball between two of the best teams that the two states can offer.

"The trip was a lot more than just softball," sophomore shortstop Allison Twarowski said. "It was something I was really looking forward to and was even better than I imagined it would be." The series began in 1985 when former Cherokee coach Jim Caputo conspired the idea with the State College coach at a summer softball clinic. "They dubbed it 'Softball Weekend'," Cherokee coach Mike Medrick said. "It originally started as a three-game tournament with State College, Williamsport and Central Columbia. State College was the big game for us every year."

It was a perfect fit for Cherokee and State College as both were perennial state-championship caliber. Since then, the two teams have alternated as hosts. Visiting players stay with families of players from the host team. Cherokee has several fundraisers throughout the year to help with the costs of the trip. The Cherokee players embrace the opportunity. "We're the only sports team at the school that gets the chance to go on a trip like this," senior pitcher/outfielder Mollie Ahern said. "That makes it pretty special."

This past season, on April 18, Cherokee boarded its school bus at 2:30 p.m. for the long trek to State College. The cramped bus, filled with softball gear and overnight bags, turns into a virtual sauna. Medrick slumps into his seat, trying to drown out the noises only teenage girls can create. "I always go in with the hope that they'll sleep on the way up. It never works out that way though," Medrick said, jokingly. Twin sisters Jackie and Jamie Taylor along with Danielle Cohen and Vanessa Kinal handle the musical portion, belting out vocals ranging anywhere from country to rap. Some enjoy the amusing crooning, others take a different approach. "I make sure I have my DiscMan on full volume," senior Jenn Clark said, laughing. "I've tried to sleep on the trip, but it didn't work."

"It's all fun," Ahern said. "It's a long ride but the time goes pretty fast because of all the crazy things people are doing." Arriving on campus, the team splits into groups and meet their hosts. Two to four players will stay with one family. The first of many trips to the local ice cream establishment was made by the Chiefs. "They're known for their ice cream up there, right?" Clark questioned. "We wanted to make our own opinions about their ice cream and they're right, it was really, really good." Later that night at the host families houses, conversation rules as the new friends get acquainted. "We talk about typical teenage stuff like music, proms, school and...." Ahern said with a pause. "And boys, of course."

On Friday, the Chiefs gathered for a tour of the Penn State campus with various stops at the football complex and the school's Hall of Fame museum. Many of the players were seeking the name of Sharon Tinucci, a standout athlete for the Nittany Lions. Tinucci coaches those softball players that are on the field hockey team. "Coach Tinucci's name was in there," Clark said. "It was pretty neat to see it in the Hall of Fame of a big-time university."

In years past, the Cherokee players would actually go to school with the State College players for a few hours. The Chiefs weren't exactly disappointed to hear that this year State College teachers had an in-service day and wouldn't be conducting classes. "We weren't complaining because it gave us a lot more time to shop," Clark said. "By the end of the day, we looked like a bunch of tourists with all the Penn State stuff we bought."

That night, Cherokee took its 9-0 record into a game against State College. The pre-game analysis said the contest would be a classic pitching duel. Cohen and Nicole Letterman followed the blue print perfectly. The Chiefs managed to scratch a run across in the fifth inning courtesy of a Jackie Taylor RBI single, but it wouldn't last as State College took advantage of Cherokee's uncharacteristic poor defense. Three errors led to two unearned runs, including a crucial one in the 10th inning, left Cherokee with a 2-1 loss — its first of the season. Cohen was masterful as she rung up 11 strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. Jackie Taylor finished with three hits and Jenn Clark chipped in two. Those performances didn't take the sting away from the loss. It was Cherokee's third straight extra-inning loss at State College.

Cherokee's bad luck continued the following day when the Chiefs awoke to heavy rainstorms that put the 10 a.m. game with Williamsport in jeopardy. The game's start was delayed two hours, and players killed time by conducting an impromptu pitching tryout. "We have 17 kids on this team and 17 think they can pitch," Medrick said with a laugh. After a two-hour wait, the game was officially cancelled.

The Chiefs boarded the bus for the long trip home. On the way, Cherokee's bus driver stopped off at a all-you-can-eat buffet which eased the minds and stomachs of several Cherokee players. It's quite evident that the Cherokee players appear to be a little cautious when it comes to trying new meals. The night before every game, a different family hosts the team for dinner. The favorite is pizza turnovers created by Maryann Reis' father or Twarowski's favorite chicken caesar salad. The Chiefs wolfed down another heaping helping of ice cream to polish off the meal. As the bus arrived Saturday night, the younger Chiefs were already planning the next trip to State College in 2004. "We're definitely looking forward to it and this time when we go up there, we're going to win," Twarowski said. The tradition continues.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Tom McGurk