GREECE — School of the Arts senior pitcher Taialise Davila begged photographers to retake pictures she wasn't ready for. Davila wanted to make her final Rochester City Athletic Conference championship photos special.
For city schools, the RCAC softball championship tournament is the pinnacle. Top-seeded SOTA's postgame celebration after Saturday's 16-2 five inning win over No. 2 Franklin was a glimpse of how important winning the city meant. Davila shared silly selfies with her MVP trophy. Amarah Robinson attempted to split. Sisters Ada and Hope Reddington took for photo-ops flaunted their all-tournament team medals on the Greece Odyssey turf
"I think it's important because it brings the scope on the city teams, who maybe aren't going as far in sectionals, or let's be honest, don't have the opportunities that the other programs have. The money, the donors ... we don't have those things," Diaz said. "To come together as a city conference and hold these tournaments, it brings these girls from other teams together, and celebrates the work they've put in. And they've put in a lot. They deserve something like this each year."
SOTA's latest RCAC title was believed to be the program's fourth straight during the postgame ceremony. That streak is actually at five, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. The Silver Hawks' fourth consecutive title came in 2023's win over East High at the University of Rochester. In 2022, SOTA beat East for their third straight crown at St. John Fisher.
What it means
Once again, School of the Arts coach Ray Diaz's Silver Hawks dominated RCAC competition. They went 12-0 in league play and routed Wilson/Early College 10-0 in Thursday's semifinal. SOTA's losses were against non-league opponents Eastridge, Aquinas, Wayne and Northstar Christian. The Silver Hawks avenged Northstar with a win May 7. Diaz credits SOTA's ascension atop the RCAC to the players buying in though modified and junior varsity.
"From the beginning this is a family. We really take care of one another and hold each other accountable. It's through all of those different lessons that when they finally get here, that's why they are as good as they are," Diaz said.
All three losses for Franklin/World of Inquiry School coach Darren Currey's Bulldogs (9-3) came at the hands of SOTA. Otherwise, Franklin annihilated its city school schedule. A young, agile group led by sophomore star pitcher Jessia Breedy, the Bulldogs were clearly the city's next best team this season. In the recent past, Franklin would finish toward the bottom of the RCAC.
Players of the game
Taialise Davila, SOTA
The senior pitcher's pinpoint fastballs and changeup led to the MVP award. Davila had a rough first inning, but gave up just one hit across the final four. Davila struck out four and worked well with catcher Nine Pallotta. Davila's title-clinching two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth ended a hitting slump. She made the all-tournament team in 2022. Diaz said Davila stepped up as SOTA's ace after sharing the circle in the past. Her consistency caught up with her speed and technique.
"She put it together since the beginning, and showed she's a true horse in this game, and can go as much as you need," Diaz said.
"My girls had my back no matter what. Even if they made an error, we knew we could bounce back the next pitch," Davila said.
Ada Reddington, SOTA
The left fielder had a 1.000 on-base percentage and took home an all-tournament team medal. Ada went 2-2 with four RBIs, three runs and worked a walk in three appearances. Her inside-the-park home run was part of a five-run fifth inning. Ada was MVP of the 2023 RCAC final.
"The most important part about our batting order is there really are no slopes," Ada said.
Hope Reddington, SOTA
Both sisters made the all-tournament. Hope, a center fielder, went yard on both of her hits, flying through the bases on inside-the-park homers in the first and fourth. Hope also caught key outs in the outfield.
"I definitely think the energy that our team has something to do with (our success). After every game we hype each other up, we pick ourselves up, and we keep that momentum through the whole season," Hope said.
Game balls
Jessia Breedy, Franklin
The Bulldogs' sophomore ace struck out four SOTA batters and registered two hits at the plate. Daniela Cantero scored the game's first run in the first inning. Shortstop Jackeline Hernandez-Rod (walk) scored Franklin's other run in the third and leaped for infield line drives. Left fielder Zyana Ferrer, second baseman Nadia Lewis, center fielder Karoll Nieves-Perez and third baseman Shanae Dickinson each worked walks.
"Franklin has a really good team. Breedy is an awesome pitcher. I told her already I'm scared of when she becomes a senior. She's going to be a tough challenge. ... It's awesome to see how they've progressed," Diaz said.
Amarah Robinson, SOTA
A third baseman, Robinson registered an RBI-double in the fifth. She finished with two hits, worked a walk, and scored three runs. SOTA collected 10 hits as a team. Shortstop Avi Martinez went 2-3 with a triple. First baseman Ella Dormitzer had an RBI-single. Second baseman Bridget Crowley had a hit and an RBI.
Franklin is scheduled to play Young Women's College Prep Charter School of Rochester and Eastridge before the Section V Class AAA postseason begins. Coach Currey's team is in a four team classification with perennial champions Fairport and Rush-Henrietta, and Greece Storm. Seeding is crucial, as one playoff win would grant Franklin a long-awaited section championship appearance.
SOTA will host non-league games against Letchworth and Aquinas this week to conclude the regular season. The Silver Hawks will then enter a tough Section V Class A postseason bracket. Diaz guided SOTA to the section semifinals in 2021. He feels this roster is good enough for a sectional run.
"Every team I've had is capable. It comes down to, are they mentally ready to face those teams at the top of our section. I think they can do it," Diaz said.
— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He has been reporter for 14 years. Follow him @MarquelSports on X or on Instagram. You can contact him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.
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