PEORIA — As Providence’s catcher, sophomore Mia Sanfratello is ultra focused about keeping tabs on the count.
As a batter, in the biggest game of her high school career, she lost track.
In her mind, Sanfratello took a called strike and slowly made the trek to the dugout. She was called back by the home plate umpire.
“I thought it had been my last strike because the scoreboard said it was 2-2,” Sanfratello said. “I was like, ‘That’s kind of low for strike.’ I walked away, but then he told me the scoreboard was messed up.”
Can’t trust that scoreboard. But Sanfratello trusted her bat, and on the next pitch, hit a screaming line drive for an RBI single.
That hit was one of a few big ones Friday for the Celtics, who beat St. Laurence 5-2 in a Class 3A state semifinal game at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
Angelina Cole and Ava Misch each had two hits and drove in a run for Providence (26-11). Bella Olszta came through with an RBI double and Ella Kucala added a triple. Macie Robbins struck out four for the pitching win.
Alyssa Cervantes tallied two hits for St. Laurence (23-8). Demi Lotus singled and scored, while Hannah Marusarz drove in a run.
Sanfratello’s hit came in the third inning for the Celtics, who will play at 11:30 a.m. Saturday for the state title. The Vikings will play at 9 a.m. for third place.
It came during a three-run burst that featured a single by Bella Cortes and an RBI double by Cole.
“It felt really good to keep everything going with the momentum and the energy,” Sanfratello said. “Being on this field (Friday) was nervous excitement. I’m so proud that we made it here.
“It’s crazy that we’re playing for a state championship. It’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”
Sanfratello has been the starting catcher for the Celtics since she walked in the door as a freshman. She and Misch are both sophomore catchers, but Providence coach Jim Holba uses Misch mostly at first base.
It’s been a win-win for both, who have combined for 51 RBIs. Sanfratello, meanwhile, has been a rock behind the plate.
“Mia just kept working and working and really put in a lot of time learning and listening,” Holba said. “She kind of took it and ran. And she’s made some huge strides over the past two seasons.”
Sanfratello is pretty proud of the working part.
“It took a lot out of me,” she said, smiling. “I worked hard for it, and obviously it paid off.”
The payoff from being behind the plate comes in multiples.
“I really like the excitement, the thrill of it,” Sanfratello said. “When our pitchers get a strikeout, I like cheering them on and throwing the ball around the bases. It makes you feel good.”
In Friday’s win over St. Laurence, Sanfratello and Robbins were in total sync. After the first, Robbins faced more than three batters in an inning just twice. She retired 13 of the final 14 hitters.
“We’ve grown so much together since the beginning of the season,” Robbins said of Sanfratello. “Just her sense of humor, it can always get us laughing. I was in the hotel room with her (Thursday) and it was so funny. She always keeps us up.
“Mia can do it all. She’s a great catcher back there. Framing, throwing, and she’s really good at blocking.”
Even if means using her face. In the bottom of the seventh, Sanfratello took a one-bounce pitch flush on the mask.
She didn’t flinch a bit.
“It didn’t really hurt,” Sanfratello said, laughing. “Gotta use your whole body.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
