Rochester Lourdes catcher Veronica Taylor (10), right of center, and pitcher Anna Taylor (12), left of center, celebrated with teammates after the Eagles' Class 2A championship victory against Norwood-Young America. Photo: Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@
It wasn’t the fairy tale ending Norwood Young America had dreamed about.
The best season in Raiders history — 25 victories, a cadre of heavy hitters that included a state record holder for home runs in a season and more than 10 runs per game — came to a disappointing ending in a 10-1 loss to Rochester Lourdes in the Class 2A championship game.
Lourdes pitcher Anna Taylor baffled the NYA hitters with her array of off-speed pitches. Taylor struck out nine and didn’t walk a batter, holding the Raiders offense to five hits and their lowest run total of the season.
“She’s got two types of change-up, one the rolls up and one that rolls down. And her riseball is fabulous,” Lourdes coach Becky Macken said. “She’s a very talented pitcher.”