Phillies must reflect mistakes over a long winter

JESSICA HAGERTY SPORTS EDITOR JH729@CABRINI EDU

The Philadelphia Phillies put so much energy into winning the National League East Championship that they were not ready to compete in the actual playoffs. The three-game sweep by the Colorado Rockies spoiled Philadelphia’s post-season celebration.

Few expected a championship win from the Phils especially after injuries and losses that piled up during the regular season but it was much anticipated since the last NL East title in 1993. Although, it was the failure of the New York Mets that ultimately took Philadelphia to the playoffs.

According to ESPN.com, the Mets became the first team in Major League history to blow a seven-game lead. This allowed the Phillies to finish one game ahead in the standings, leading them to the playoffs instead of the Mets.

A party on the field after the final game at Citizen’s Bank Park was soon followed by a pep rally in downtown Philadelphia the next day. The celebration looked as if they had won the World Series.

The first championship in 14 years was a big accomplishment for the Phillies, however it all went downhill from there, as the Rockies’ pitching staff seemed unbeatable.

“We’re obviously all disappointed that we couldn’t make the season a little longer, but we’ve got to hold our heads high,” Allstar Chase Utley said according to ESPN. com. “We battled through so much this year, we overcame a lot. We’re disappointed but we’ve got to put this behind.”

Looking ahead, the Phillies expect to be big competition for next year and do not wish to settle for just making it to the playoffs.

“I would hope that we have a lot more chances,” Howard said. “I would hope that everybody in here would expect to make it to the playoffs and not only have it as a team goal to make the playoffs, but to go on and win a World Series.”

This year, the women have broken the PAC record for consecutive wins with 41 straight, topping the previous 35 set by Marywood. A perennial PAC powerhouse, the team has brought home three straight PAC titles, won two of the last three PAC Player of the Year awards and two of the last three Rookie of the Year awards.

After losing two key seniors, DiTaranto feels the rest of the team has stepped up to defend their title. “This year is definitely a rebuilding year. The team is awesome, the freshmen are awesome and everyone is motivated to win. I’m really happy with what we’ve done so far,” DiTaranto said. DiTaranto trains at home with a personal instructor during the summer. Alongside her own training, she instructs at a country club. “It’s all tennis, all the time,” she said.

DiTaranto is 10-2 in singles competition and with one loss in PAC play. She is 10-2 in doubles play and undefeated in the PAC. With a win streak of six in both categories, DiTaranto has consistently crushed PAC opponents since her freshman year.

As the team sets their eyes on yet another PAC title, they face conference rivals Rosemont College, Immaculata University, Alvernia College and Neumann College in the upcoming weeks.

“Rosemont is huge for me because I’ll be going up against last year’s PAC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, which is what I did my freshman year. So it’s like I’m fighting to regain my title,” DiTaranto said.

After defeating their biggest competition, Gwynedd-Mercy College, DiTaranto feels that the PAC title is at Cabrini’s fingertips.

The Lady Cavaliers play their last home match on Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. before team and individual championships begin on Oct. 20.