How this Archmere standout is making an impact in golf and softball
Meredith Finger loves to play golf. But she also loves to play softball. With the help of her coaches, teammates and parents, she finds a way to excel at both during the busy spring sports season at Archmere Academy.
“She just loves this school, loves being a part of it,” Auks softball coach Daniel Pisani said. “We’re in an age now where a lot of kids choose club and travel and AAU over their high school sports. So the fact that she’s playing two high school sports, trying to make that work, it’s pretty cool for us.”
It’s easy to see how she developed a fondness for both sports.
Meredith’s mother, Cathleen Finger, played college softball at Shippensburg. Her father, Matt, played college golf at Georgetown and now works as an assistant golf professional at DuPont Country Club.
She gave up travel softball a couple of years ago to focus on golf throughout the summers. When the Auks have a golf match and a softball game on the same day – which has happened six times so far this spring – golf is always the first priority.
“I just love the game,” Finger said. “Ever since I touched a club, I could not let it go.”
She finished second among girls at the DIAA Golf Tournament last year as a freshman, shooting rounds of 72-71--143 at Baywood Greens Golf Club in Long Neck. She has helped the Auks - ranked No. 1 statewide by Delaware Online - go 12-2 in team matches this spring.
Her 1.7 handicap in Archmere’s ninehole matches ranks sixth statewide among both girls and boys. So the pursuit of a college scholarship in that sport is logical.
“I want to go D-I for golf,” she said. “That’s what I’m geared toward.”
The powerful 16-year-old can carry drives 245 yards and comfortably hit a 7-iron 160 yards, but believes the best part of her game is putting.
“I’m really good at focusing, getting the lines and the reads,” Finger said. “I like when it’s a little more calm. Putting, I can really focus.”
She plans to compete in several regional tournaments and attempt to qualify for some national events this summer. But before that, she is also finding time to help the Auks in softball.
“I love the sport, so I had to come out and play for my high school team,” Finger said.
She is willing to fill any gap Archmere may have on the diamond.
Last year, when the Auks needed a catcher, she put on the gear.
This year, pitching was the big concern. So she stepped into the circle.
“She’s going to do what I need her to do in order to win games,” Pisani said. “Last year, it was catch. This year, it’s pitch. If it’s something else next year, she’ll do that too.”
It is fair to say she has become a difference maker. The Auks are 8-8 overall, but 6-2 in games Finger has pitched.
“It is tough, because sometimes I’m
not playing softball for one or two weeks,” she said. “Getting back out in the circle, I’m a little rusty. But I make it work my best.”
Pisani has seen her improve throughout the season. She pitched five perfect innings and struck out 11 in a 14-0 win over St. Elizabeth on April 9.
She gave up 10 hits against Red Lion Christian on April 19, but struck out 12 and went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored as Archmere’s No. 3 hitter in a 17-6 victory.
“She’s starting to throw a little bit harder. Her control is getting better,”
Pisani said. “… She’s getting in the zone. Her stamina is getting better.”
On the days both teams are competing, Finger worries about softball during her golf match.
“I’m not allowed to use my phone when I’m on the golf course, but I wish I could text these girls at every moment at every second of a game,” she said. “I wish I could be on video with them, cheering them on, hoping that they do their best.
“I want nothing but wins for these girls. They support me as much as the golf kids support me.”
Her mother credits Pisani and Archmere golf coach Matt Krass for making it possible for Meredith to play both sports. Most importantly, she is a straight-A student.
“The coaches have been so great about working together, making a plan for practices and games,” Cathleen Finger said. “They’ve made it so easy for her.”
The Auks’ softball regular season will end this week. If they don’t reach the state tournament, Meredith Finger will be free to concentrate on golf the rest of the spring and gear up for the DIAA Golf Tournament, to be played May 28-29.
“It’s a lot to handle,” she said. “But I really just rely on my friends, family, coaches, teammates. Everyone is here to support me and let me do my thing.”
Or, in this case, things.