Senior Natalie Graham went the distance for Emerson, which advanced to the North 1, Group 1 state sectional final with a 9-3 win over Park Ridge.

EMERSON – As sophomores, Emerson’s Natalie Graham and Kelty Manning were integral parts of the softball program’s first section title since 2003. Graham was the winning pitcher in that game and Manning had hits in all three of her at-bats. It felt to the duo like they would play together forever, winning a string of section titles along the way, but as their senior seasons are winding down, Graham and Manning are hoping for what all seniors hope for.

As much as the close friends want to close out their careers in an Emerson uniform, they want just one more. One more practice, one more game, one time to be together as teammates, one more day in the sun.

To get back to a section final the Cavos would have to beat rival Park Ridge for a third time this season. They took advantage of a pair of first-inning errors to grab the early lead and Graham used that run support as second-seeded Emerson earned one more shot at the North 1, Group 1 section title with a 9-3 semifinal win over No. 3 seed Park Ridge on Wednesday afternoon in Emerson.

“Park Ridge is a good team that knows us really well, this is where we had to rely on our experience,” said Emerson head coach Nancy Graf. “We’ve been in big games throughout the county tournament, and we were ready. We’re not a team that’s super athletic. But it’s a testament to the work we put in. Today we got contributions one through nine in the lineup and we were ready right from the first pitch.”

Park Ridge had a chance to score in the top of the first inning when speedy Amanda Cicero singled and stole second. She would end up stranded on third with Graham notching a strikeout to wiggle out of trouble.

Allie Shenloogian drove in a run for Park Ridge, which finished its season with an 18-9 record.

Back-to-back one-out errors brought in Emerson’s first run before Sophia Centeno’s RBI double and a run-scoring groundout from Eleeza Kapadia made it 3-0. The lead could have grown if not for a fantastic inning-ending catch by Park Ridge freshman Kate Broderick in right field.

Graham then helped her own cause in the second inning with an RBI double before the Cavos tacked on two more runs in the third on RBIs by Jillian Kleinman and Alyssa Gabriele for a six-run lead.

“We can always control our energy and how we start,” said Graham. “Knowing my teammates are going to hit and they have my back in the field allows me to relax. When we get a lead, I just have to do my job and make these runs stick. Everyone steps up and we’ve been in a ton of tough games this year, so we’re prepared for when any situation comes up.”

Park Ridge (18-9) cut into the lead with runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Broderick put the Owls on the scoreboard with an RBI double and three-sport standout Allie Shenloogian drove in another run with a single to make it 6-2.

The Owls hoped it would be the start of a miraculous comeback. An experienced Emerson squad never flinched and kept putting runs across. Manning lined an RBI single and another hit from Gabriele, a sophomore, drove in two more runs before Graham closed out the game to lift the Cavos back into the North 1 Group 1 section final after a one-year hiatus.

Keilty Manning and Emerson will get a shot at top-seeded Cedar Grove in the section final on Saturday.

Emerson (25-3) got lots of production from the lower third of the lineup. Kleinman and Gabriele combined to go 5-for-6 with four RBI’s. Graham went the distance for the win, allowing eight hits with one walk and four K’s.

The Cavos will get at least two more practices and one more game with a section title at stake. To win will be a tall task though against Essex County Tournament champion and top seed Cedar Grove. The Panthers have run roughshod through the states, outscoring their three opponents by an eye-popping 44-1 margin. But this Emerson team is not intimidated. With everything to gain and all the pressure off them, the Cavos will do what they have done all season. Play hard, play for each other, and let the chips fall where they may.

“We trust our coaches, we trust each other, and we’re excited for one more chance at a section title,” said Manning. “Facing Cedar Grove, we have nothing to lose. We have been eyeing this game against this team all season. When you get to play the sports you love with your best friends for one more day that’s a special thing to be a part of.”

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