For Academy of the Holy Names, this softball season has been inextricably tied to pain and loss.
The players and coaches still struggle to hold back the memories from mid-March when Nick Petrarca, the father of Jaguars shortstop Rachael Petrarca and second baseman/rightfielder Camille Petrarca, died suddenly.
The Academy of the Holy Names players — and the surrounding South Tampa softball community — rallied around Rachael and Camille . The initials of their father, NP, were displayed on the team’s batting helmets, along with a cross.
It also became the turning point for the Jaguars’ season.
At the time, Academy of the Holy Names was 5-5.
Then the Jaguars started winning. And winning.
In fact, Academy of the Holy Names had won 12 straight entering Wednesday’s Class 3A state semifinal game against Miami Westminster Christian.
Rachael was the catalyst. In March, she hit a homer in her first at-bat against Orlando First Academy, days after her father passed. Rachael continued to produce, hitting safely in all but one game during the Jaguars’ current win streak.
That helped Academy of the Holy Names reach the state semifinals for the first time since 2017.
Rachael, Camille — and their teammates — made sure they stayed around.
The Jaguars scored in every inning to build their lead and cruised to an 11-4 victory. On Thursday, Academy of the Holy Names will face Windermere Prep in the 3A final at 7 p.m. This is the first time the Jaguars have advanced to a title game.
Rachel did their part in the semifinals with two hits, including a homer, and finished with two RBIs.
She had plenty of help from her teammates. Genevieve Chiellini was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Chase Cordoves, Camryn Feast and Keala Hollenkamp each had two hits. Cordoves doubled and Feast homered.
In all, eight of the nine Academy of the Holy Names batters in the lineup had at least one hit.
The offensive support was more than enough for Belle Sardja, who emerged as the team’s ace during the postseason. She gave up eight hits and four earned runs.
