When Central High School’s softball fans say their prayers, they no doubt offer a major “thank you” for the gift of Sarah Rosenberg.
A sophomore pitcher, Rosenberg lifted the Lancers to a Public League championship in dominating fashion, which culminated in last Thursday’s 7–1 victory over Philadelphia Academy Charter. Rosenberg spun another gem for the Lancers, pitching a brilliant complete-game, one-hit contest that included 12 strikeouts. For the season, Rosenberg’s 13–2 overall record included eight shutouts, six no-hitters, two perfect games and 150 strikeouts.
Not too shabby for an affable Mayfair resident who only started pitching less than four years ago.
“I liked it right away,” Rosenberg said. “There’s something great about being in control of the situation. If I am throwing well and have a lot of confidence, it doesn’t matter what the score is or who is batting. It’s a great feeling.”
If Rosenberg’s name sounds familiar to Northeast residents, it’s probably because she spent her freshman year on Dave Schafer’s team at St. Hubert. Before fracturing her foot in a freak accident while practicing hitting in her backyard, Rosenberg was the Bambies’ starting junior varsity pitcher (and occasional varsity call-up) and was undefeated before the injury cost her the final three games of the season.
For a variety of reasons, Rosenberg chose to transfer to a high school that she actually had figured on attending during her grade school days.
“I liked Hubert’s and made a lot of friends, but I always liked Central and felt very good about changing schools,” she said. “I planned on going there in eighth grade.”
Now that she has become a mainstay at Central, Rosenberg won’t be going anywhere else.
Meanwhile, her softball resume continues to grow. A key performer for the Lower Southampton Liberty, the 16-year-old spent the entire holiday weekend playing seven games in the Memorial Day Madness Tournament in Chambersburg, Pa.
“The whole weekend was about softball,” Rosenberg said. “I’m tired now, but after a good night’s rest, I’ll be ready to go again.”
Developing into one of the area’s top players requires significant discipline and sacrifice.
Rosenberg was an accomplished basketball and soccer player — and a dancer as well — before softball became an almost full-time commitment. But you’ll hear no complaints from the pitcher.
“I’ve had to give some things up, and it’s really hard on my social life,” she said. “Is it worth it? I think it is. For me, at least…I love the game and it’s a big part of who I am. I have met a lot of friends from different areas and that’s been a nice part of it.
“I’m hoping that it helps me with college,” she continued. “Maybe a Division I or Division II school will be interested.”
Though college is more than two years away, Rosenberg knows two things:
One, she wants to stay relatively close to home, so schools such as East Stroudsburg University, West Chester University and Bloomsburg University whet her appetite.
And two, she already knows what her major will be, thanks to a recent experience.
Last summer, she spent a day shadowing her 24-year-old cousin, Rachel Dwyer, who is a speech therapist. Watching Dwyer — combined with her affinity toward children with autism or other occupational needs — cemented her plans to one day become a speech pathologist.
“I know it’s sort of far off, but the thought excites me,” Rosenberg said. “I look forward to studying that in college.”
In the interim, Rosenberg plans to play as much softball as she can.
“The more the better,” Rosenberg said. “One of the great things about playing tournament ball is that we get to face great players and a lot of them are eighteen. The better the competition, the better you become.” ••
