Of the numerous Stars players deserving of plaudits after the double-header, Cierzan takes the cake. The senior leader of Holy Angels pitched two complete games in a row, all while offering consistent danger at the plate.  

In the two games combined, Cierzan connected on four hits, two singles and two doubles, for five RBIs. Meanwhile, she allowed only two runs all day in what was a slog both mentally and physically for the pitcher. But Cierzan knew all along that she would be pitching both games if needed. The senior was more than up to the task. 

“I’d say I’m like running on adrenaline, caffeine, you know a mix of that,” Cierzan said. “But other than that, I’m still standing so that’s all that counts. 

“Especially after the first game I was feeling confident that the team was hitting well in general. I’d say we’re usually on and off hitting sometimes, but today we were dialed in and ready to go. So after some shade after game one, I was ready to go knowing I’d be pitching the next seven (innings).”  

Despite the grind of what was 14-straight innings of pitching, Cierzan’s energy and power in her throws never escaped her. She regularly mixed up the Two Rivers batters and because of her focus, the Warriors could never get going offensively.  

But after only five hits in the first game, the Warriors did dial in at the plate for game two. They doubled their hit count including some deep doubles and a triple that worried the Holy Angels outfield. But Two Rivers could only match their run tally from the first game thanks to smart communication and organization from the Stars.  

“We’ve been working on communication all year and it’s really come together in the last three weeks,” Poidinger said. “So, it’s great to see that and they just keep talking to each other and moving around. They’re just doing a great job and they do what we ask them to do and that’s just great.”  

The communication and leadership skills were evident in what is such a young Holy Angels team. With one senior and one junior on the team, youth is the name of the game for the Stars. And that allows chances for young minds to shine.  

Sophomores Anya Anderson and Evelyn Jastrow were key examples of this in the section championships, especially in game two. Anderson was especially explosive, connecting on three hits for an RBI and three runs. And then on defense, the catcher provided the key connection with Cierzan as the Stars closed up shop.  

“(Anderson’s) caught basically every game this season, and she’s definitely stepped up,” Cierzan said. “I mean, both of us were like, ‘OK, you’re still standing, I’m still standing. Let’s go out for another inning.’ We had a little Coke in our systems, Jackie always makes us drink Cokes because she brings them to the games and says it helps with hydration and I always make fun of her.”  

The youthful exuberance was on full display for Holy Angels on Friday. And that energy helped them power through two major wins over Two Rivers. Now with the state tournament ahead, the sky’s the limit for the Stars’ team according to Poidinger.  

“Going into this game, I think Jackie and I both knew that this year, we definitely had a shot,” Cierzan said. “This Two Rivers team is very talented, a lot of their hitters are very patient and talented, some of the best I’ve faced in this section tournament. It was going to be a hard battle, to go to 14 innings, and I think we really pushed through.  

“I’d say for (Poidinger), she knew our players and knew I could go 14 innings. She really just believes in us and she’ll be hard on us and keep us in line with the team being young, but it’s just amazing to have a coach like her.”

Holy Angels came out swinging from the start of this Class 3A, Section 3 championship game, and it seemed to give the players confidence for the rest of the contest. The barrage was off and on for the Stars. But some clutch hitting streaks, including three runs in the seventh inning, led to a 7-1 victory and a second game to decide this championship.  

Senior ace Leah Cierzan had a controlling game at the mound, allowing only five hits for the Warriors. But she was also electric at the plate, as she co-led her team in RBIs (two) as she hit two singles. The other RBI leader, sophomore Zoe Anya Anderson, had two clutch hits, a single and a triple that padded the Stars’ lead.  

With the convincing win, the two teams will now face-off in a double-header for the section title.