Sarah Godfrey: Catholic Schools’ Ace Pitcher 

Diocesan Student Overcoming Tragic Accident to Star
At Catholic Schools Night With SWB Yankees 

The most important pitch to be thrown during the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees baseball game on Friday, Aug. 17, will come before the two teams even take the field. And regardless of the outcome of the minor league contest, it will be tossed by the night’s MVP — with the “M” standing for “Miracle.” 

Exactly nine months to the day she was seriously injured when she was tragically hit by a car in front of her Hazle Avenue home in Wilkes-Barre, 14-year-old Sarah Godfrey will stand proudly on the mound of PNC Field in Moosic and throw out the ceremonial “first pitch.” 

The emotional moment will be just one more dramatic step the Catholic School student will take in her long “climb up her personal Mount Everest” — as her mother, Brigid Casey-Godfrey, refers to it. 

For Sarah’s mom and dad, Mark, her spotlight moment in front of 10,000 fans at the local Yankees’ game was unthinkable at the beginning of 2007. On Nov. 17, after attending St. Boniface Elementary School, the eighth-grade sustained traumatic injuries in the accident, and her life hung in the balance.

After receiving emergency surgical and medical treatments at Geisinger Hospital in Danville, she was transferred the day after Christmas to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia for intensive neurological and physical therapy.

On April 7 — the day the Godfreys had hoped and prayed so hard for — Sarah was discharged to come home and she immediately began out-patient therapy at John Heinz Rehabilitation Center in Wilkes-Barre. 

Through home-bound schooling the determined teen was able to complete her studies for the school year, and on June 1 — with the aid of a walker — she proudly made her way to the front of the St. Boniface graduation class to receive her eight-grade diploma to a standing ovation. 

Thousands more Catholic school students, teachers and parents will standing to cheer on Sarah next Friday when she throws out the first pitch for the first of two sold-out Catholic Schools Nights with the SWB Yankees.

Through the efforts of Kevin Haggerty, advancement director for Diocesan Catholic Schools, the Diocese is teaming up with the Triple-A Yanks for games on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17 & 18. When he first heard of Sarah’s story, it didn’t take Mr. Haggerty long to conceive of the idea to have the determined young lady to be so honored. 

As an added bonus, Jennifer Griglock of Jenkins Township, one of Sarah’s teachers at St. Boniface and a former Radio City dancer/singer, will perform the National Anthem prior to next Friday’s game between the Yankees and the Syracuse Chiefs. 

“I’m doing a lot better, thank you,” Sarah said during her very own Media Day at the stadium last week, as she took the field to practice for her professional pitching debut. “Baseball is my favorite sport. I’m honored to be chosen to throw out the first pitch.” 

“I’m not shy,” she said with a laugh. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Her mom couldn’t say enough about the moment. “It’s just a miracle to see her out there,” Brigid said of her daughter, who never allowed the accident to break her spirit. “Through all of this, Sarah never lost her sense of humor. It is really what has kept all of us going.” 

And despite all the heartache, worry and challenges the Godfreys have endured for the past nine months, Brigid made it a point to express her family’s concern for all parties involved. “It has been very emotional for everyone,” she said. 

Mary Ann Olszewski, Sarah’s principal at St. Boniface School who will now serve as the new principal of St. Aloysius School in Wilkes-Barre, said Sarah can’t wait to continue her Catholic education — something “she values greatly.”

As an incoming freshman at the new Holy Redeemer High School in Luzerne County, Sarah will attend three classes each morning at the school, have lunch with her classmates and then spend her afternoons at John Heinz for continued rehabilitation. All with the hopes of a full recovery. 

On behalf of Sarah and in tribute to her indomitable determination, several area businesses have made significant donations to benefit Catholic Schools in the Diocese. They include Gerrity’s Supermarkets, Gertrude Hawk Candies and Life Touch Photo, along with the SWB Yankees organization. 

At both Catholic Schools Nights at PNC Field next weekend, all Diocesan students in attendance will be invited to come onto the field to meet the players and get autographs, and also receive a complimentary SWB Yankees cap. Both evenings will conclude with a fireworks display.