Coach John Tschida hit another milestone in his storied career during the St. Thomas softball team’s sweep of St. Mary’s Wednesday. The Tommies cruised past the Cardinals 7-1 in the second game, but it was the 3-2 victory in the first contest that ensured Tschida’s 800th career victory.
With a win in the opening game of the twinbill, Tschida became the eighth Division-III softball coach to reach the prestigious 800 win mark, putting him among elite company.
“I don’t even think about it. It just means I had a lot of good players,” Tschida said. “As a coach, we’re all pretty much the same, just trying to win our next game. When your career is over, you kind of look at that stuff, but while you’re in your career, you’re just worried about your next one.”
His players, on the other hand, were thrilled to be a part of their coach’s milestone victory.
“I’m very honored to be a part of a starting lineup for his 800th win,” pitcher Kendra Bowe said. “Obviously he is just incredibly successful. He knows the game inside and out, and it’s just an honor to be a part of the program and get to play for such an amazing coach.”
Third baseman McKenzie Wergin agreed.
“When you’re with him all the time, you definitely understand why he has 800 wins,” Wergin said. “That passion and knowledge and the will to keep working towards getting wins … I’m honored to be part of it.”
While the spotlight shone brightest on Tschida Wednesday, games remained, and the Tommie hurlers quickly stole the show.
Bowe pitched game one for St. Thomas, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. The senior allowed two runs and struck out nine batters to earn her team-leading 12th win of the season.
“Everything felt good and connected and smooth and relaxed. That’s the key for me, just staying relaxed. The ball just moves a lot more,” Bowe said.
Even with a stellar performance from Bowe, the Tommies trailed 2-1 going into the seventh inning.
St. Thomas would not be denied, however. Designated hitter Allison Rice singled to start the rally, followed by a double from Bowe. That put two runners in scoring position for Wergin, the Tommie leadoff hitter.
Wergin took full advantage of her opportunity, singling to right field to drive in the tying and winning runs.
“You want to go the opposite way or at least up the middle and score the run because that’s your job in those situations,” Wergin said. “The runner on third is what matters, and I want to score her, and it was just an extra bonus there was a runner on second.”
After capturing Tschida’s 800th win in walk-off fashion, pitcher Katie Jo Delisle took the mound and the offensive reins in game two.
Delisle fanned seven batters in her five-and-two-thirds innings of work to notch the win. She helped her cause at the plate too, crushing a two-RBI double during the Tommies’ four-run fifth inning.
“They did a great job of throwing strikes, executing pitches, making the ball move and just keeping them off balance,” Tschida said of his pitchers. “The lefty-righty combo, it’s a little bit different. Kendra a little outside, and (Delisle) busted them inside a little more.”
Contributions came from the whole lineup in game two, as the floodgates that restrained St. Thomas’ offense in game one were opened.
Right fielder Annie Boyer had two hits and two RBIs, center fielder Bianca Peterson had two hits and scored twice and shortstop Meg DuPuis put the exclamation point on the scoring with a long two-run homerun in the sixth inning.
“We hit the ball pretty well. Seventy-five percent of your line drives usually fall in, but it was like none of them would (in game one), but that’s the way it is. We just stuck with it and were able to punch out a few runs,” Tschida said.
On a day filled with celebration for its coach’s milestone win, the team recorded two equally important wins in its quest for a national championship.
The Tommies will be back in action Friday with a doubleheader at Macalester.
Scott Sikich can be reached at siki3549@stthomas.edu.