Softball: Van der goot's No-No Clinches League Title for Flintridge Prep

After Denise Van der goot tossed her 12th strikeout in the sixth inning, she shared a little smirk with catcher Charlotte Kay. They both knew what was at stake, and it wasn’t just the chance at a league title.

Van der goot earned her first no hitter of the year after the Rebels scored the 10th run in the sixth inning, giving Flintridge Prep more than one reason to celebrate. The Rebels defeated Westridge in six innings 10-0, clinching a share of the Prep League title for the first time since 1995.

“The fact that we have come such a long way since I began with this team is so amazing,” Rebels coach Julie Jaime said. “Over the years we were a few runs away from accomplishing this feat. After all that, coming in to finally be on the winning end of one of these is thrilling. These girls deserve this, and this is a great bunch of girls to win it with.”

Van der goot faced the minimum in each of the six innings tossed. Her lone setback during the game came with the very first batter, pegging Lauren Widuch-Snyder. She was picked off later that inning. Three of the six innings she also managed to strike out the side and ended the day with 13 Ks.

“I will never forget that first batter,” Van der goot said. “It hurts to even think it could have been the ‘what if’ perfect game. It’s not so much the no-hitter, but I will take a retaliation win any day no matter how it is.”

With eight seniors celebrating their final game in silver and blue, most ended with arguably their best game of the season. Besides Van der goot’s no hitter, Abbey Deckop proved to be a tough out at the plate going 3-for-4 for three doubles and four RBIs. Kelly Wang and Ashley Kim had a 2-for-4 afternoon with three runs scored.

Nothing though can be compared with the performance of Charlotte Kay. After a 3-for-3 performance against the Tigers, she has remained perfect since coming back from a finger injury suffered on the first day of practice. She also had a perfect 3-for-3 performance against Chadwick on Tuesday, and having their star catcher back couldn’t be at a better time as the playoffs begin next week.

“All season long she has stuck with the team even though she has had to on the bench,” Jamie said. “She came to every practice and was their loudest supporter.”

The win for Flintridge Prep was rather emotional, especially for these seniors who have been on the team over the last four years. The league title hadn’t been touched since Bill Clinton was in his first term as president, and each time these players entered the gym viewing the banner, they knew that they wanted one of their own.

“I have been staring at those banners since the seventh grade,” Kay said. “At my time at Prep, I have always wanted to leave at least one up there. It feels so nice to be that team to put another one up.”

“Being a part of the team that wins league in my final year feels incredible,” Deckop said. “We have done half our job though. Now with the playoffs coming up, the next step is to have my name on the banners going all the way.”

Though a league title does feel rather nice, the Rebels aren’t close to finishing up their season. Flintridge Prep hasn’t won a playoff game since 2005 when they reached CIF-Southern Section Division 5 finals that year losing to Pomona Catholic under former head coach Anne Konrad.

Jamie has yet to win a playoff game as the Rebels’ head coach. With a solid group all around, these girls know what’s at stake.

Said Charlotte Kay: “During this playoff run, it will be balls to the walls.”