Twisters Softball team takes 1st in SWIC Conference, 2nd in tournament in record-breaking season

The Central Middle School girls softball team finished first in their conference with a 12-0 record in the regular season. On Friday, Oct. 2, they competed in the Southwest Interscholastic Conference Tournament (SWIC).

The Twisters beat Palos South Middle School, and then Grissom Middle School in the semi-finals, coming back from a 0-3 deficit in the third to score seven runs for a 7-3 win.

They had “solid defense, pitching and batting,” said Central Middle School (CMS) softball coach Laura Tuffs.

The team advanced to play Jerling Junior High School for the championship.

“The game against Jerling was tough,” Tuffs said. “We had some stellar, aggressive defensive plays by Riley Schultz, and pitching from Lilli McGlothlin was great, but wasn’t enough to pull ahead.”

The Twisters lost 5-10 in the championship game. It was their first, and most difficult loss of the season.

“It was a tough loss to swallow,” Kelly Gron, another CMS softball coach recalled.

Still, their record resulted in an exceptional 14 wins to one loss. The team placed first in the regular season SWIC and second in the SWIC tournament. Last year they took fourth in both the regular season and tournament. Two years prior, the Twisters won sixth in the season and first in the tournament.

“The girls recorded one of the most dominant seasons (SWIC) has ever seen,” said assistant principal of Central Middle School, Bret Pignatiello. “They exhibited exceptional skills in all areas of the game, which made them a powerhouse and very successful this season,” he added.

“To go undefeated in the conference was a great accomplishment, and you could see the confidence grow in each girl with every win,” Dina Altobelli, a softball player parent said.

The win has elicited a certain pride that is buzzing throughout Central Middle School. At the end of the school day on Oct. 6, the entire student body and all staff at CMS lined the hallways as the softball team paraded through clapping hands in what the school calls the “Walk of Champions.” Students gave out high-fives and cheers as the girls pranced through the halls, holding their trophies as the CMS band played celebratory tunes closely behind.

“These girls are a fantastic bunch who represent CMS in the highest regard. We are very proud!” Tuffs said.

This season proved to be special for the team as a whole.

“The girls wanted to make a statement this year to let the conference know that ‘We are CMS!’ I could not be prouder of our student athletes as they continue to make strides to represent CMS,” Central Middle School principal Randy Fortin said.

The success would not have come without endless hours of practice and fine-tuning their skills.

Principal Fortin recalls the team’s dedication. “The girls were often seen coming in early and staying late to continue to get better.”

Accompanying their work ethic was a lighthearted spirit.

“The best part of the entire season was the fun all the girls had as a team. From the pre-game chant to the constant cheering, the girls were always laughing and smiling,” Altobelli said. “This environment was created by their coaches who were always smiling and truly seemed to be enjoying themselves just as much as the girls.”

Fortin agrees. “Mrs. Tuffs and Mrs. Gron kept the girls’ spirits high and their eye on the prize.”

Coach Gron felt equally as inspired by her team.

“Tuffs and I have nothing but pride for the way the girls handled themselves the entire season,” Gron said. “Not only athletically, but their dedication and passion for teamwork was an amazing thing to be a part of. I couldn’t be prouder to have been a part of this team!”

The team will be honored at a Tinley Park Board meeting on Dec. 15 for their accomplishment.