West Potomac Slams Woodson

By Special Correspondent Cindy Jackson

On what was another cold March night, the West Potomac Wolverines showed their depth of a team, effectively shutting down the Woodson Cavaliers.  West Po worked the advantages presented to them, racking up 13 hits for the night and utilizing their 18 free passes to win 17-5.  The first conference game of the young season allowed the Wolverines to go to 4-0 on the season.

Sunshine on Harley's shoulders (It's a real  old

song, kids.  No, it's not rap, so you haven't

heard it.)

Olivia Manous (pronounced ma-NOOSE’ - yes, the announcer put the stress on the wrong syLLA’ble) was the offensive star of the game, going 2 for 3 with five RBIs – including a grand slam homerun far over the left field fence.  (Reporter’s note: none of these stats have been verified against Game Changer; this reporter was busy multi-tasking, splitting her attention between jotting down stats, taking photos, fielding a long-distance phone call from her mother in Kansas ((Editor's Note: Hi Cindy's Mom!)), and tackling a foot-long sub.)

The first three of Olivia's seven

total bases for the game.

West Po put their first run on the board in the top of the first. With 2 outs and a full count, Oliva (ma-NOOSE) drove the ball to deep right field, getting herself a stand-up triple and driving in Nikki Minnis who had walked earlier in the inning.

The Cavaliers got their first hit of the game in the bottom of the second with a single to deep right field. Any excitement this caused, however, was quickly extinguished on the next pitch when West Po catcher Torie Bolger gunned down the would be base stealer. Wham, Bam, No Thank You Ma’am. After two complete innings, West Po was up 1-0.

Christina deals

It was the top of the 3^rd when West Po decided to unleash on the Cavaliers, scoring 8 runs. Nikki started things off with a line drive single to left. Annabelle Miller got on a base with a walk, with Raven Williams coming to the plate. Raven drove it hard to left center, knocking in both base runners and getting 2 of her 4 RBIs of the inning. After hitting several mean foul balls down the third base line (this becomes important later), Olivia reached first on a walk, as did Torie and Harley.

Is Coach Lee scratching his ear or giving a sign?

He will never tell.

Megan Jackson then came to the plate with bases loaded, and ripped a line drive down the left field line, scoring two and easily making it to second base. After a few more walks, and then some fielder’s choice outs by the Cavaliers, Raven found her way back to the plate. She got her second hit of the evening, earning herself two more RBIs.

Some defensive changes were made in the bottom of the third. Caroline “C-Bow” Bowman took over first base, Christina Dillard took the mound, Micaela Neulight relieved Annabelle at third, and freshman Natalie Lerner made her Wolverine debut, coming in to replace Torie Bolger at catcher. Despite Christina’s two K’s that inning, the Cavaliers managed to put one run on the board. After 3 complete innings, West Po was up 9-1.

Elizabeth awaits the pitch.

Grace Moery ripped one up the middle in the top of the fourth, with Nikki following suit with a single to left. West Po added another run to their total, taking them up to 10 runs. Christina struck out two more in the bottom of fourth, leaving the score at 10-1.

If Dr. Seuss wrote this, he'd say that it is

Natalie at-batalie. But, you are stuck with me.

In the top of the 5^th, Olivia hit a hard grounder to the short stop. Easy out, right? Nope. Olivia beat out the throw, earning herself an infield hit. Natalie then got the first hit of her varsity high school career, by drilling a hard grounder down the first base line (did I mention she’s a lefty?). Both runners were left stranded, however.

Elizabeth Drotos entered the defense part of the game in the bottom of the 5^th, relieving Harley Divine at second base. Christina had another strike out, but the Cavaliers managed to put their second run on the board, making it 10-2 after five.

  

The girls learned earlier this season than last

not to fall for Coach Craig's "pull my finger" sign.

Not much happened in the 6^th. Then came the7th where the girls took it up a notch. Natalie led off the inning with a walk. Elizabeth Drotos then got a nice infield hit, and Megan walked. With the bases loaded, Christina drove it out to right field, earning herself 2 RBIs. Grace then hit a sacrifice fly to RF, with Natalie scoring after tagging up. (This gave Grace 3 RBIs for the evening.)

Nikki and Micaela both walked, once again loading the bases. Olivia then came to the plate. She once again starting drilling hard foul balls down the third base line. Despite his usual cat-like reflexes, Coach Craig “The Big Manig” Maniglia was unable to dodge all these bullets and took one hard on the leg. Clearly feeling bad about this, Olivia made it up to him by driving the next pitch deep to left center, easily clearing the outfield fence. It was a GRAND SLAM homer for Oliva, giving her five RBIs for the night and her first over-the-fence home run.

Her teammates greet Olivia AFTER

she touches home plate.  No 

South County repeat here!

The Cavaliers put up 3 more runs in the bottom of the 7^th, but it was nowhere near enough, but cutting the Wolverine lead to twelve was not cause for concern.

It was so cold Suzy Chapstick

made a promotional appearance.

(caption by David Orleans)

Wolverine Whispers:  The next game is Thursday night, which is either tomorrow night or tonight, depending on when you read this.  Of course, if you don’t read this till Friday, than it was last night, unless, of course, it gets rained out, in which case I have no idea when it is.  

Now that I’ve confused you, the game is 6:30 at Annandale, which you can remember all night and day by trying not to change the words of Billy Joel’s “Allentown” to “Well we’re living in Annandale, and they’re closing all the c-stores down, jerky and Coke, and stale hot dogs, and we’re waiting here in Annandale.”

(As you are trying to get my insipid lyrics out of your head, feel free to thank me.)

Saturday will be the second day of the Spring Break Tournament, except no spring will actually be involved, as highs are expected to be a brisk 44 degrees.

Along with Olivia’s five RBI, five other West Po’ers knocked in runs, including Raven with four, Grace with three, Megan with two, Christina with two, and Harley with one. 

For the pitching line, Jayne pitched two inning with a strikeout, and two hits.  No walks or runs.  Christina pitched the remaining five innings, earning eight strikeouts on only two walks.