Scott Davidson|South Bend Tribune
SOUTH BEND —It's all about giving back.
That's the message from South Bend Clay softball coach Katie Rodriguez as her Colonials host their annual cancer tournament Saturday.
The Clay Colonial Toys for Childhood Cancer Patients Softball Tournament is set for the Byers Softball Complex in Phil St. Clair Parkon the west side of South Bend.
Rodriguez, a former standout player at LaSalle High School as Katie Knight, is committed to doing all she can to help those battling cancer. Her son Gabe was diagnosed with leukemia back in 2015 when he was 2 years old.
Rodriguez recalls the support she received as Gabe went through his treatment.
"After all these years I still get emotional thinking about it," said Rodriguez, who comes from a strong softball family that had fivedaughters play at either LaSalle or Clay. "The love and support I received for so many years when Gabe was sick was something my family and I will never forget. Now through the game I love and this awesome community I can give back."
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Rodriguez received great support as many of her coaching colleagues in the Northern Indiana Conferenceat the time. Coaches like Earl Keith of Saint Joseph, Brian Miller of Mishawaka, Beth Zachary of Penn, Katie Boocher of Riley and Rich Burtonof Washingtonwere at the forefront of efforts to help her family when Gabe was battling his cancer. A charity event put on by supporters raised more than $10,000 back in 2016.
“That (turnout) was an example of why I could never walk away from coaching,” Rodriguezsaid in a column by Al Lesar published in the Tribune back in 2016. “Gabe is still my priority, but for a couple hours a day, softball is an outlet for me.
“Then, (after hearing the news) when the first texts I get are from (coaches) Rich (Burton) at Washington and Katie (Boocher) from Riley; then you get emails from the Elkhart Central softball team; and you hear that the Penn players are wearing purple bows for Gabe; you can’t give up.”
Gabe is now a healthy second grader, according to Rodriguez, whose father Bob is one of her assistant coaches, along with her former high school coach, John "Woody" Woodruff. Rodriguez and her husband, Santiago, also have another son Joel.
The eight-team tournament, now in its fifth year, includes the hosts, Marian, Concord, New Prairie, Andrean and North Central from Indiana andBuchanan and Edwardsburg from Michigan,
Play begins at 10:30 a.m. with Clayvs. Buchanan, Marian vs.Edwardsburg, Concord vs.Andrean andNew Prairie vs.North Central.
Games at 12:30 p.m. are Clay vs. North Central, Edwardsburg vs. Buchanan, Concord vs.Marian andNew Prairie vs. Andrean.
Games at 3 p.m. are Clay vs.Andrean, Concord vs. Buchanan, Marian vs.North Central andNew Prairie vs. Edwardsburg.
Admission is $10 for the entire day with preschool and younger children admitted for free.
Penn eyes another NIC title
Championships are a staple of the tradition-rich Penn softball program.
The Kingsmen took a big step towards yet another one Monday night.
Penn took command of the NIC with a convincing 5-1 win over Class 3A No. 1 Saint Joseph in the biggest league game so far this season.
Penn got a pitching gem from gutty sophom*ore Aubrey Zachary to move to 9-0 in league play. Zachary fired a one-hitter in handing the Indians just their second overall loss of the season and first in NIC play.
The Kingsmen program has won 20 NIC titles overall, including the last six (there was no season in 2020 due to COVID).
Penn coach Beth Zachary, whose two daughters Aubrey and Ava are stars of her team with no seniors, has claimed 11 league crowns in her 14 seasons. Coach Zachary won her 300th game at Penn earlier this season. She led Penn to Class 4A sectional and regional titles in 2021.
The Kingsmen, who were 15-6 overall versus a tough schedule after their sixth straight win Monday night, were set to play at NIC foe Jimtown Wednesday. Penn then hosts Class 3A power New Prairie Monday in the league finale. The Cougars were tied with Saint Joseph at 8-1 in second place in the NIC entering play Wednesday.
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Penn will face rival Mishawaka in the opener of the Class 4A Mishawaka Sectional May 24. The two teams face off in a regular-season meeting tonight (Thursday) at Baker Park in Mishawaka. The Cavemen of coach Brian Miller, who have no seniors this season like Penn, were 12-7 overall and 7-3 in Northern Lakes Conference play after a 6-0 league loss to Wawasee Tuesday night.
NIC Standings
Through Tuesdaynight games
Penn 9-0, Saint Joseph 8-1, New Prairie 8-1, Jimtown 5-3, Adams 5-4, Clay 4-4, Bremen 4-4, Marian 3-6, Elkhart 3-5, Glenn 2-7, Riley 1-8, Washington 0-9.
NLC Standings
Through Tuesdaynight games
Northridge 10-0, Mishawaka 7-3, Concord 7-3, Goshen 5-5, NorthWood 4-6, Wawasee 4-6, Plymouth 2-8, Warsaw 1-9.
