Senior pitcher Anna Topel was hit by a pitch near her right throwing hand, March 26, during the Oak Park and River Forest High School softball team’s last spring-break game in Tennessee. She immediately sensed something bad, probably a broken wrist.
“One of the fingers couldn’t move,” she recalled.
After Topel’s fears were confirmed at Urgent Care, she shared the news at the hotel with senior suitemates Sofia Ayala, Maura Carmody and Gloria Hronek.
“I just remember we were sitting there wondering what happened. And she walked into our room with a sling and we all just teared up,” Hronek said. “At first, I didn’t think she would (play at all). Just seeing her in that room was so sad. [Afterward] just watching her work, I knew she’d be back. She was so determined.”
On Saturday, the four Huskies were the last to leave the award ceremony at the Class 4A state tournament in Peoria. They posed with medals and team trophy after all started and contributed to finishing third for the second time in three years with a 6-5 victory over Lockport.
And yes, that included Topel, who pitched all seven innings to climax her unbelievable return. She finished with a 10-1 pitching record and six playoff appearances since returning to pitch with one inning on May 12.
“Being told from the beginning that I would not even come back for a single game and [then] just being here, it’s an unreal feeling,” Topel said. “I guess they’ve called it a medical miracle, which it really is. I just worked my butt off and did everything I could to get back. I’m so happy it all paid off. There’s nothing I could have asked for this season.”
If Topel is the throwing miracle, senior pitcher Molly Chambers is the walking miracle. Spraining her right knee on the rubber in rainy conditions, April 9, Chambers has continued pitching with a probable torn MCL knee ligament.
Oak Park-River Forest High School pitcher Molly Chambers throws towards the plate against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Courtesy of Mark C. Regan) 
Retired Oak Park-River Forest High School softball coach Mel Kolbusz (left) with OPRF senior Molly Chambers during a ceremony honoring the 20th anniversary of the Huskies’ Class AA state title, the first in program history, May 9. (Courtesy of Mark Rega)
Chambers said she “felt a pretty big pop” in relief during Friday’s 13-2 semifinal loss to Oswego. With the season done, Chambers now has an MRI scheduled.
“[OPRF athletic trainer Katie McGee] was telling me, ‘I really don’t recommend you playing.’ I said, ‘I have two weeks left in my softball career. I’m going to play on it. As long as I can walk, I’m going to play,’” Chambers said.
“Our pitchers have the story of the tournament,” senior catcher Julia Mattiace said. “They are the most gritty, determined, passionate pitchers I’ve ever worked with.”
Teamwork off the field made Topel’s miracle possible. The mother of freshman starting right-fielder Charlie Terry works at Rush University Medical Center. She connected Topel and renowned Rush orthopedic surgeon John Fernandez, who regularly operates on professional athletes.
The father of senior shortstop Elyssa Hasapis drove Topel from Tennessee through the night for consultation the next morning. Topel underwent surgery the following day (March 28).
“That, itself, is a medical miracle, if you know anything about [scheduling] surgery,” Topel said.
Seven screws were inserted to ensure her wrist healed with proper alignment. The rate of recovery was in Topel’s hands – and arm.
“We’d be at practice, games, and she’d be in the corner, kind of right behind the dugout, working on her spin,” Hronek said. “After everything we’ve been through, especially Anna’s injury, we didn’t really think we’d make it this far but she did amazing coming back, getting us here.”
Formerly a power pitcher, Topel and OPRF coach JP Coughlin re-invented her approach. Frustrated at first, Topel worked with her pitching coach three times a week.
“I lost a lot of spin, speed, everything. I kind of went from being a strikeout pitcher to inducing popups, anything [for outs],” said Topel, who had 46 strikeouts in 61 innings this season. “I have to put all of my trust in my defense and they pulled through [Saturday] for me.”
For her third straight outing, Topel had no strikeouts but allowed just six hits to Lockport. She retired the last seven hitters in order.
Coughlin said Topel, whose “best” pitches were a rise ball and change-up before the injury, used only one each Saturday.
“I think I took the sport for granted so badly and now every time, I’m just grateful to be out there with my teammates, especially the team we have,” Topel said. “I think that was the hardest thing because I knew this was going to be such a good team. This is the most positive team ever. That’s my favorite part.”
Oak Park-River Forest High School pitcher Carolyn Rainey winds up before throwing against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. ( Courtesy odf Mark C. Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School’s Maura Carmody makes contact against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Courtesy of Mark C. Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School catcher Julia Mattiace encourages her teammates after reaching base against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Mark C. Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School third baseman Gloria Hronek swings against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Mark C. Regan)
Topel pitched into the fourth inning Friday until she was relieved by junior Carolyn Rainey. Chambers entered in the sixth and got the final two outs.
Afterward, Chambers was in so much pain walking that she required a golf cart to reach the team bus.
Miraculously, Saturday was business as usual.
“I woke up, I taped it up a bunch and I think the adrenaline’s taken over and I’m able to walk on it,” Chambers said.
“She greeted me this morning and she’s like, ‘I’m ready for an inning or two if you need me,’” Coughlin said. “I was ready to put her in, but Anna was so good down the stretch.”
