Eilrich breaks 38-year-old record in Senecas' win

Besides a dominant 12-1 win over Sandusky St. Mary Saturday, Calvert saw a record go down.Sophomore pitcher Ava Eilrich broke a record that had been collecting dust for 38 years. With 153 strikeouts and 19 victories in the circle, Eilrich broke the mark for most wins in a single season."It was a big record. Brenda (Rombach) was a fantastic pitcher and the success that coach Ted Rombach had with her in the circle, it's a true opportunity for Ava to have that here," Calvert coach Leah Bouillon said of the sophomore. "She has put in a tremendous amount of work during the offseason to do that and the support of the defense behind her, getting those outs, to help propel us so we can continue to battle, our team motto."Saturday, Calvert (21-3, 11-2 SBC River) made quick work of the Panthers, scoring in all four innings it batted."I think a lot of it comes down to discipline," Bouillon said. "The seniors led the offensive attack, and everybody bought into that. Playing off of pitches that were outside of the zone, and it's a great day when you get to play all 19 kids and all 19 kids did a fantastic job."The record itself was set in 1988 by Brenda Rombach, whose father, Ted Rombach, was the coach for the Senecas from 1982-1993. In 1988, Calvert was 23-3 on the season, and Rombach had 18 wins in the circle as a junior. Rombach had 198 strikeouts as well, which Eilrich is 45 away from."I honestly didn't know that I was close to breaking a record," Eilrich said. "I couldn't have done it without my team. They have had my back all year. I have had some rough spots within myself in the circle, but they have been there for me. I'm thankful for this experience with my team."The Senecas played the game on Saturday and put SMCC (9-10,5-8) into a hole two innings in by posting up seven runs. Kate Coleman hit a sacrifice fly and drove in Gracie Miller. From there, Claire Schoenberger doubled and plated in Scarlett Faber, and Gentry Gillett whacked a double that chased in Schoenberger and the score was 3-0.At the bottom of the second inning, Miller lined it to center field and drove in Faber.Then Eilrich helped her own cause by driving in Miller on a hard grounder to left field.With two outs, Gillett chased in Eilrich and Schoenberger on a single.It was 7-0. The last two innings, Calvert faced off with a different pitcher from SMCC in Laney Torres, but it wasn't in time as the Senecas put up another five insurance runs in the third and fourth innings.The Panthers did get on the board though with Ella Brownell seizing an opportunity on a passed ball to score.Eilrich allowed zero runs on one hit, with no walks and seven strikeouts.Towards the end of last season, she became the starting pitcher, which is a role she has accepted."I think I have accepted my role on this team," Eilrich said. "In order for me to do what I need to do for this team, I need the confidence, and I have gained that as well as from my team and coaches."With the conclusion of the regular season, it now starts the trek to Akron or Canton to play in June.The No. 1 seeded Senecas will face off against their rival No. 3 seeded Old Fort (7-15) who defeated Oregon Cardinal Stritch on Friday in sectionals.Eilrich and the rest of the team know it will be hard to beat a team a third time but is looking forward to the challenge."We are going to battle one day at a time," Bouillon said. "I think a lot of it is going to be a battle, with the 'e' standing for earning. Earning every opportunity, embracing every opportunity, and jumping on those miscues because we love to cause chaos. That's what we are going to do."