On May 9 at Ridgeland Common, Oak Park and River Forest High School celebrated the 20th anniversary of the softball program’s first state championship. Led by coach Mel Kolbusz, the Huskies finished 35-6 and won the IHSA Class AA title, defeating Machesney Park Harlem in the quarterfinals 5-3, Lake Park 4-1 in the semifinals, then Moline 4-1 in an 11-inning classic. Jessica Rigas was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and was also named to the All-Tournament team along with Stephanie Bernthal, Erika Rosenwinkel, Seana Stillson, and Kealan Waldron.
Other players on the 2005 team were Annie Demas, Alyson Euler, Megan Kiefer, Alexandra Morocco, Caitlin Morocco, Jane Nightengale, Samantha Pehlke, Mattie Prodanovic, Holly Roadruck, Ann Schraufnagel, Leone Schwestka, A.J. Snow, Katherine Ziegler, Mary Frances Zinni, and Mia Zinni.
Kolbusz’s assistant coaches were John Allen, Leah Carlin, Jim Dagostino, and Gary Miller.
The 2005 team was honored in a pregame ceremony before the current Huskies’ West Suburban Silver game against Downers Grove North. Kolbusz, who addressed the crowd during the ceremony, said the seeds of the state championship were planted the year before, when Lockport rallied from a 6-0 deficit to defeat OPRF 8-6 in the AA title game.
“When I put the [second-place] medals around our players [in 2004],” Kolbusz said, “they weren’t disappointed, they weren’t sad. They were angry. They felt they let [the championship] get away and vowed if they returned to the state finals, they were not going to lose.”
Current OPRF coach J.P. Coughlin was thrilled with the large crowd, who showed their appreciation for those players and coaches who were able to make the ceremony.
He also said his players appreciate the achievements of the 2005 team.
Oak Park-River Forest shortstop Elyssa Hasapis fires to first during a West Suburban Silver softball game versus visiting Downers Grove North, May 9. The Huskies fell 10-3. (Courtesy of Mark Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School first baseman Anna Topel fields a ground ball against Downers Grove North in a West Suburban Silver softball game, May 9. (Courtesy of Mark Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest catcher Julia Mattiace in action versus Downers Grove North in a West Suburban Silver softball game, May 9. (Courtesy of Mark Regan)
“Our players really appreciate history, they were excited about this,” said Coughlin, who added there are plans to honor the 2016 and 2017 Class 4A championship teams in the next two years. “It was their idea to give roses to each [2005] player. I don’t know if we’ve always had athletes who care about the past, and these girls want to be like them.”
OPRF (20-8, 5-4 in WSC Silver) planned to cap a special day with a victory against conference leader DGN. But the Trojans (13-10, 7-1) spoiled the party with a 10-3 defeat of the Huskies. Samantha Lehnherr did the most damage for DGN, going 4-for-4 with five RBI, including a two-run homer and two-run double.
“[DGN] was simply better than us tonight,” Coughlin said. “We hit some balls hard, but they were outs.”
Carolyn Rainey started in the circle for OPRF and went 5.1 innings, allowing 10 runs [two unearned] on 11 hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
“She started the year as our third starter with the plan of one inning at a time,” Coughlin said. “Since Anna [Topel] went down, Carolyn has done a really nice job. Today wasn’t her best day, but she’s out there competing.”
Elyssa Hasapis and Leia Hammerschmidt each had two hits for the Huskies, who recently received a boost with the return of Topel to the lineup. Coughlin hopes to get her pitching again soon.
“Hopefully, we start to ease Anna back,” he said. “She’s a good player and we’re going to need her for the playoffs.”
On May 12, OPRF looked to bounce back at York. Maura Carmody’s two-out, two-run single in the top of the seventh tied the game. But Sara Steinecker hit a solo homer in the bottom half off Arielle Spurlock to give the Dukes a 5-4 walk-off victory.
The Huskies have their final three WSC Silver contests this week: at Lyons Township (May 14), home versus Glenbard West (May 15), and at Proviso West (May 19).