W L %
South County 6 0 1000%
Lake Braddock 6 1 857%
West Potomac 5 1 833%
West Springfield 4 3 571%
TC Williams 2 5 286%
Annandale 1 6 143%
Woodson 1 7 125%
A couple of notes:
This represents conference play only -- NOT overall play (tournaments and non-conference games such as Lee or Mt. Vernon).
Coach Lee Harrington painstakingly put these together based on checking records with several sources. Thanks Coach!
I think it is safe to say that there will not be a game tonight, unless South County is hosting one in their new indoor stadium (just kidding -- it only seems like they would have an indoor stadium with their world class facilities).
Thank goodness the VSHL changed the name from the Patriot District to something catchy like Conference Seven!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Swinging In The Rain: Wolverines No Hit W.T. Woodson 19-4
It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents — except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in Fairfax that our scene lies), rattling along the school rooftop, and fiercely agitating the scanty beams of the field lights that struggled against the darkness.” — with "apologies" to Edward George Bulwer-Lytton.
Allowing no hits, and having plenty of their own, West Potomac pounded the Cavaliers 19-4 on a night more suited to bad writing than to softball. The steady rain dictated game tactics, as Coach Craig Maniglia juggled his line-up and his offensive tactics to ensure the game did not have to be called for rain.
The mercy rule had a double meaning in this game. It did not just mean the game ended after five innings because the Wolverines led by ten runs or more, it also meant mercy for the players, coaches, fans, and yes, umpires. A lot of credit needs to go to the Woodson field for not getting muddy, requiring cancellation. And, credit goes to the boys in blue, who did not suspend the game despite the steady downpour. Also, it was heartening to see way more Wolverine fans on the visiting bleachers than Cavalier fans on the home side.
If Lee was the "TGWBALCTEBTOTHIS" game, Woodson turned out to be this year's "This Team Is Not As Good As They Used To Be, So The Game Isn't Even Close" game (or "TTINAGATUTBSTGIEC" for short).
Starting pitcher Jayne Orleans was dominant, facing the minimum twelve batters in her four innings pitched. Reliever Christina Dillard was not as sharp, having difficulty with the wet ball. Christina did not give up any hits, but four walks, a bunch of slippery wild pitches, and an error led to Woodson scoring four runs despite having only six fair balls in their sixteen at bats.
The Wolverines stuck quickly, scoring four runs in the top of the first, whilst the rain was not too bad. Annabelle Miller started the run scoring off by singling with the bases loaded (thanks to an error and two walks) to drive in two runs. After Raven Williams scooted home on a wild pitch, Jayne knocked a sacrifice fly to center to close out the first inning scoring.
Jayne started off the game with two strikeouts and a walk. The Woodson baserunner was erased by Torie Bolger to Nikki for the caught stealing to end the inning.
Kate Gregory started off the second with the first of her three singles on the night. After three errors put two more Wolverines on base (yes, there were two Woodson errors on one play), the excitement of back-to-back bases loaded walks ensued. Raven and Annabelle both picked up RBI with their patience.
Then, things got interesting. Or at least I think they did -- my notes are streaked and stained by the rain. I'm pretty sure what happened is that Jayne either knocked a green smudge or an RBI single, as did Maddie Miller. Olivia Manous picked up an RBI on the team's second sac fly of the night. Kate added a single to left. While West Potomac was hitting the rain right off the ball, Woodson added five errors on the inning to let Wolverines take plenty of extra bases. It was 10-0.
Jayne got a flyout and two groundouts to make short, yet increasingly wetter, work of the second inning defensively. If there any great defensive plays, your faithful writer missed them for a work conference call (sorry, but my day job pays better than sportswriting for a softball blog!).
The top of the third started in a scintillating fashion. Jayne's RBI stroll with the bases loaded was the fourth straight base on balls. It was then that we realized the ump was in no mood to postpone the game -- the Woodson pitcher had little control of the wet ball -- and yet, fortunately, we played on. Olivia's single drove in another run. Her RBI single was followed by two more -- by Harley Devine and again by Kate, and the score was 15-0.
In the sloppy, rain-soaked bottom of the third, Megan Jackson made the play of the game. With four runs in already for Woodson, their batter smacked a long shot down the left line. Running at a full sprint, Megan reached up behind her and snagged the ball backhanded to end the inning. A SportsCenter Top Ten catch.
West Potomac got the four runs back in the fourth when Olivia smacked a hard double off the left field wall to drive in two. Olivia's shot might have the hardest hit Wolverine smack of the season so far. Kate followed up with a two RBI single to make the score 19-4.
In an effort to speed the game up, Coach Craig reinserted Jayne back on the mound. She whiffed two of the three in the fourth, showing no signs of the wet ball bothering her. Meanwhile, Wolverine parents Jim Miller and Sean Jackson were gathering wood to build an ark. After loading the bases in the top of the fifth, all three Wolverines were called out for leaving the base early. The intentional outs (which were set up by two walks and a single by Jayne -- all hits get mentioned in these articles) sped the game up.
In the bottom of the fifth, Jayne threw two balls, including one that slipped out of her hand and rolled harmlessly toward the home dugout. After that, she decided it was time to go home. She threw nine straight strikes, none of which were even fouled off, to end the game. After the eleventh pitch, and ninth straight strike of the inning ended the game, fans hightailed it to their cars to get warm and get home.
Wolverine Whispers: I'm not saying tonight's game at Annandale is not going to happen, but the weather service warnings of flash flooding for Fairfax County suggest it is, as they say at McDonald's, not McLikely. . .Jayne had seven strikeouts, while Christina added one. . .Kate went three for three with two RBI, Olivia went two for three with a screaming double and three RBIs (Editor's Note: Snoopy and Bugs Bunny in the same article? Reporter: I just need a Calvin and Hobbes reference to hit the trifecta), and Annabelle had three RBI and reached base four times, thanks to a hit and three walks. . .is it just me, or does anyone else automatically insert "Annandale" into the Billy Joel song "Allentown" anytime the Atoms come up? "Yeah we're living here in Annandale. . ." So, it is only me? Hmm.
Allowing no hits, and having plenty of their own, West Potomac pounded the Cavaliers 19-4 on a night more suited to bad writing than to softball. The steady rain dictated game tactics, as Coach Craig Maniglia juggled his line-up and his offensive tactics to ensure the game did not have to be called for rain.
The mercy rule had a double meaning in this game. It did not just mean the game ended after five innings because the Wolverines led by ten runs or more, it also meant mercy for the players, coaches, fans, and yes, umpires. A lot of credit needs to go to the Woodson field for not getting muddy, requiring cancellation. And, credit goes to the boys in blue, who did not suspend the game despite the steady downpour. Also, it was heartening to see way more Wolverine fans on the visiting bleachers than Cavalier fans on the home side.
If Lee was the "TGWBALCTEBTOTHIS" game, Woodson turned out to be this year's "This Team Is Not As Good As They Used To Be, So The Game Isn't Even Close" game (or "TTINAGATUTBSTGIEC" for short).
Starting pitcher Jayne Orleans was dominant, facing the minimum twelve batters in her four innings pitched. Reliever Christina Dillard was not as sharp, having difficulty with the wet ball. Christina did not give up any hits, but four walks, a bunch of slippery wild pitches, and an error led to Woodson scoring four runs despite having only six fair balls in their sixteen at bats.
The Wolverines stuck quickly, scoring four runs in the top of the first, whilst the rain was not too bad. Annabelle Miller started the run scoring off by singling with the bases loaded (thanks to an error and two walks) to drive in two runs. After Raven Williams scooted home on a wild pitch, Jayne knocked a sacrifice fly to center to close out the first inning scoring.
Jayne started off the game with two strikeouts and a walk. The Woodson baserunner was erased by Torie Bolger to Nikki for the caught stealing to end the inning.
Kate Gregory started off the second with the first of her three singles on the night. After three errors put two more Wolverines on base (yes, there were two Woodson errors on one play), the excitement of back-to-back bases loaded walks ensued. Raven and Annabelle both picked up RBI with their patience.
Then, things got interesting. Or at least I think they did -- my notes are streaked and stained by the rain. I'm pretty sure what happened is that Jayne either knocked a green smudge or an RBI single, as did Maddie Miller. Olivia Manous picked up an RBI on the team's second sac fly of the night. Kate added a single to left. While West Potomac was hitting the rain right off the ball, Woodson added five errors on the inning to let Wolverines take plenty of extra bases. It was 10-0.
Jayne got a flyout and two groundouts to make short, yet increasingly wetter, work of the second inning defensively. If there any great defensive plays, your faithful writer missed them for a work conference call (sorry, but my day job pays better than sportswriting for a softball blog!).
The top of the third started in a scintillating fashion. Jayne's RBI stroll with the bases loaded was the fourth straight base on balls. It was then that we realized the ump was in no mood to postpone the game -- the Woodson pitcher had little control of the wet ball -- and yet, fortunately, we played on. Olivia's single drove in another run. Her RBI single was followed by two more -- by Harley Devine and again by Kate, and the score was 15-0.
In the sloppy, rain-soaked bottom of the third, Megan Jackson made the play of the game. With four runs in already for Woodson, their batter smacked a long shot down the left line. Running at a full sprint, Megan reached up behind her and snagged the ball backhanded to end the inning. A SportsCenter Top Ten catch.
West Potomac got the four runs back in the fourth when Olivia smacked a hard double off the left field wall to drive in two. Olivia's shot might have the hardest hit Wolverine smack of the season so far. Kate followed up with a two RBI single to make the score 19-4.
In an effort to speed the game up, Coach Craig reinserted Jayne back on the mound. She whiffed two of the three in the fourth, showing no signs of the wet ball bothering her. Meanwhile, Wolverine parents Jim Miller and Sean Jackson were gathering wood to build an ark. After loading the bases in the top of the fifth, all three Wolverines were called out for leaving the base early. The intentional outs (which were set up by two walks and a single by Jayne -- all hits get mentioned in these articles) sped the game up.
In the bottom of the fifth, Jayne threw two balls, including one that slipped out of her hand and rolled harmlessly toward the home dugout. After that, she decided it was time to go home. She threw nine straight strikes, none of which were even fouled off, to end the game. After the eleventh pitch, and ninth straight strike of the inning ended the game, fans hightailed it to their cars to get warm and get home.
Wolverine Whispers: I'm not saying tonight's game at Annandale is not going to happen, but the weather service warnings of flash flooding for Fairfax County suggest it is, as they say at McDonald's, not McLikely. . .Jayne had seven strikeouts, while Christina added one. . .Kate went three for three with two RBI, Olivia went two for three with a screaming double and three RBIs (Editor's Note: Snoopy and Bugs Bunny in the same article? Reporter: I just need a Calvin and Hobbes reference to hit the trifecta), and Annabelle had three RBI and reached base four times, thanks to a hit and three walks. . .is it just me, or does anyone else automatically insert "Annandale" into the Billy Joel song "Allentown" anytime the Atoms come up? "Yeah we're living here in Annandale. . ." So, it is only me? Hmm.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Eliza Stars on Senior Night As Wolverines Record Eighth Shutout Win
Sometimes, when it's your night, it's not really your night.
But last night, it WAS Eliza Treadway's night on her night. As the sole graduating Wolverine on senior night, Eliza seized the spotlight by driving in the game's first run and then scoring the insurance run as West Potomac beat a much improved Lee Lancers 2-0 in a wind-blown home game at Wolverine Stadium.
Jayne Orleans pitched the complete game shutout to lift the team's record to 10-2, with eight of the wins coming via donuts for the other team. (Editor's Note: Thanks, now I'm hungry. Reporter: You used "shutout" in the headline -- I had to do something different!).
Longtime softball observers knew this would be one of those "This Game Will Be A Lot Closer Than Expected Because The Other Team Has Improved Significantly" games (or "TGWBALCTEBTOTHIS" as it is known for short). Lee has now has six travel team starters, and the game was a lot more thrilling than those of seasons' past. The Wolverines only managed six hits against the much improved Lancer team.
There was not much offense early, as Jayne had the only hit -- a single to center -- for either team in the first two innings. Meanwhile, the Wolverines were cruising defensively -- one walk was all Lee could muster in the same timeframe. Lee's only hit came in the third inning, but Jayne struck out her second batter of the inning to leave the Lancer runner stranded on third.
The offensive output for the Wolverines all came in the third inning. Olivia Manous led off with a seeing eye single to right field, grounded between a diving second baseman and the first baseman. A groundout moved her to second, but the inning really got going with two outs.
Eliza stepped up and slammed a single to center to drive in Olivia. It proved to be the game winning RBI. Our senior smartly took second on the throw home. Nikki Minnis followed with a single to left, with Eliza scoring on an error by the rightfielder for the 2-0 lead, which proved to be the final score.
The Wolverines had other chances to score but couldn't convert. Annabelle Miller led off the fourth reaching first on an error by the shortstop, but she died there. Leading off the fifth, Torie Bolger slammed a double to deep center that had a chance to get out, but the steady wind blowing straight in from center ensured it would stay in the park. (Her father immediately filed a complaint with the Weather Channel.) Torie's lead-off double went for naught, even with an infield single by Eliza. Annabelle led off the sixth with a walk, eventually reaching third, but getting no further.
After a walk to lead off the Lee sixth, Jayne retired the last six batters to put the bow on Eliza's senior night and the team's tenth win.
Wolverine Whispers: The game only took about two hours, despite numerous delays caused by mini-dust storms whipped up by the constant wind. . .it will be nice when April comes back and replaces March. . .Monday's game has not yet been rescheduled. . .that was the first game in this writer's memory postponed despite a sunny day and a dry field. . .during her one hitter, Jayne whiffed six hitters and walked three. . .Eliza had the only two hit game for West Potomac. . .Wolverine defense played a steady, error-free game. . .but there were no amazing defensive to write about either, just good, mistake free defense. . .the tape of the game has been sent at their request to the Nationals so they can see what an error-free game looks like (Editor's Note: Now you are just making stuff up. Reporter's Note: I'm just making a point about DC's team. A bitter, frustrated point, but a point nonetheless. If a team with mostly juniors and sophomores in the field can play without an error, why can't a team of highly paid multimillionaires? Editor's Note: Now you are monologuing!). . .see you Friday night at W.T. Woodson for the next game.
But last night, it WAS Eliza Treadway's night on her night. As the sole graduating Wolverine on senior night, Eliza seized the spotlight by driving in the game's first run and then scoring the insurance run as West Potomac beat a much improved Lee Lancers 2-0 in a wind-blown home game at Wolverine Stadium.
We did. Because she earned it.
Jayne Orleans pitched the complete game shutout to lift the team's record to 10-2, with eight of the wins coming via donuts for the other team. (Editor's Note: Thanks, now I'm hungry. Reporter: You used "shutout" in the headline -- I had to do something different!).
Longtime softball observers knew this would be one of those "This Game Will Be A Lot Closer Than Expected Because The Other Team Has Improved Significantly" games (or "TGWBALCTEBTOTHIS" as it is known for short). Lee has now has six travel team starters, and the game was a lot more thrilling than those of seasons' past. The Wolverines only managed six hits against the much improved Lancer team.
There was not much offense early, as Jayne had the only hit -- a single to center -- for either team in the first two innings. Meanwhile, the Wolverines were cruising defensively -- one walk was all Lee could muster in the same timeframe. Lee's only hit came in the third inning, but Jayne struck out her second batter of the inning to leave the Lancer runner stranded on third.
The offensive output for the Wolverines all came in the third inning. Olivia Manous led off with a seeing eye single to right field, grounded between a diving second baseman and the first baseman. A groundout moved her to second, but the inning really got going with two outs.
Eliza stepped up and slammed a single to center to drive in Olivia. It proved to be the game winning RBI. Our senior smartly took second on the throw home. Nikki Minnis followed with a single to left, with Eliza scoring on an error by the rightfielder for the 2-0 lead, which proved to be the final score.
Eliza singles to center to drive
in the game's first run.
The Wolverines had other chances to score but couldn't convert. Annabelle Miller led off the fourth reaching first on an error by the shortstop, but she died there. Leading off the fifth, Torie Bolger slammed a double to deep center that had a chance to get out, but the steady wind blowing straight in from center ensured it would stay in the park. (Her father immediately filed a complaint with the Weather Channel.) Torie's lead-off double went for naught, even with an infield single by Eliza. Annabelle led off the sixth with a walk, eventually reaching third, but getting no further.
After a walk to lead off the Lee sixth, Jayne retired the last six batters to put the bow on Eliza's senior night and the team's tenth win.
Wolverine Whispers: The game only took about two hours, despite numerous delays caused by mini-dust storms whipped up by the constant wind. . .it will be nice when April comes back and replaces March. . .Monday's game has not yet been rescheduled. . .that was the first game in this writer's memory postponed despite a sunny day and a dry field. . .during her one hitter, Jayne whiffed six hitters and walked three. . .Eliza had the only two hit game for West Potomac. . .Wolverine defense played a steady, error-free game. . .but there were no amazing defensive to write about either, just good, mistake free defense. . .the tape of the game has been sent at their request to the Nationals so they can see what an error-free game looks like (Editor's Note: Now you are just making stuff up. Reporter's Note: I'm just making a point about DC's team. A bitter, frustrated point, but a point nonetheless. If a team with mostly juniors and sophomores in the field can play without an error, why can't a team of highly paid multimillionaires? Editor's Note: Now you are monologuing!). . .see you Friday night at W.T. Woodson for the next game.
Photos from Senior Night/Win Against Lee
At 10-2, this team is casting a long shadow.
Torie ready to receive
Jayne ready to throw.
4-3 is scribbled in my notebook three times
in the first four outs. Kate to Raven.
Captain Bolger with pre-at-bat words of
wisdom for the hitting star of the game.
Eliza fouls one off.
The Big Manig
A talented writer would have a rhapsodical line
about softball, shadows, spring, and renewal.
Me? I've got nothing other than "Maddie isn't
lonely in right -- she has her own shadow."
This is what strike three looks like.
One of Nikki's three assists.
A nearly sold out crowd.
Annabelle multi-tasks.
Raven with a no-look tag.
Strike three!
Megan returns Lee's only hit of the game to the infield.
Eliza thinks she's stopping at third.
But scores on the error.
Next year, there will be a lot more of these.
Coach Craig, and the scoreboard, tell the story.
Eliza receives congrats from Coach Craig
as she's escorted by her brother and dad
for the senior night festivities.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Bats Stay Awake in Doubleheader Sweep
After doing their best hitting in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, the West Potomac Wolverines continued to pound opposition pitching on Monday, splitting the Annandale Atoms 22-0, and clawing the Osbourn Eagles 10-2.
Not to be outdone, the West Potomac squad was also dominant on the defensive side, with potent pitching and nearly flawless fielding. In fact, starting pitcher Jayne Orleans had a no hitter through five innings against Osbourn until she was pulled.
Annandale Game/22-0 West Potomac Win
The Annandale game started as a rout, and stayed that way. West Potomac lost the coin flip, and batted first. It was the only thing the Wolverines were to lose that day. After a leadoff out, 13 straight Wolverines reached base, with 10 scoring. Hits in the first inning were collected by Raven Williams (double plating two), Jayne Orleans (RBI single), Torie Bolger (RBI single), Nikki Minnis (single that land on the right field foul line, scoring one), Annabelle Miller (RBI single), and Raven again (another RBI, this time on a single). Also collecting RBI were Eliza Treadway, Maddie Miller (both on bases-loaded walks), and Jayne (hit by a pitch with the bases full).
Staked to a 10-0 lead, Jayne had few problems smashing the Atoms in the first inning. West Potomac tacked on another four runs in the second, behind four hits and two walks. Olivia Manous led off with a single, stole second, before Eliza singled her to third. Annabelle collected an RBI via a free pass with the bases loaded. Raven singled in another run for her fourth RBI of the game, and then Jayne hit a ringing double to right for two more runs (and her third/fourth RBIs of the game).
The game was delayed a couple of times between the dust bowl like effects of the strong winds, and once when sticks from the osprey nest above the light tower were blown onto the infield. The Wolverine Park osprey was just making a statement about the next game. (Editor's note: What was the statement? Reporter's note: wait for the next game's write-up.)
Coach Craig started emptying his bench quickly, replacing Jayne with Christina Dillard, bringing in Harley Devine to catch, Eliza to play second, and Izzy Crawn in right. Christina cruised throughout the game, allowing just one Atom to reach second base. Annandale hit no bombs the entire game. (Editor: the first two Atom references were good, but this one is a stretch. Reporter: I know, but I was desperate to get an "atom bomb" line in before the game story ended.)
Olivia's double to right get the 3rd inning started, as the team tacked on four more runs. Eliza and Izzy both walked. Caroline Bowman, inserted to play 3rd base, singled in a run with a smack to left, followed by Katie Hinkell knocking another single for an RBI. Christina was retired on a fielder's choice, but another run came in on the play.
The final five runs came in fourth (which was the Wolverines last licks because of the time limit). Harley and Olivia both walked. Eliza's infield single loaded the bases. Maddie and Caroline followed with RBI singles, and then Katie pushed a run across with a bases loaded walk. Christina got another RBI on another fielder's choice. Megan closed out the scoring with a single up the middle.
Osbourn Game/10-2 West Potomac Win
The game against Osbourn was eagerly awaited -- after all, the Eagles had lost to Lake Braddock on Saturday by just a 5-1 score, similar to the four run deficit in the Wolverine-Bruins game. There was a good chance this game would be a tough nailbiter of a game.
But not this time. Not today.
Ornithological (Editor: hey, you spelled it right the first time! Reporter: dumb luck) fans know that osprey kick the proverbial heck out of eagles when they duel. West Potomac are the Wolverines, but we have our own osprey that watches over us. So, the Eagles didn't have a prayer against our osprey.
This was a slow squeeze rather than a quick blowout like the 10-0 start to the Annandale game. But, by the time Osbourn got their first hit of the game, the score was already 9-0 in the top of the sixth.
Jayne pitched her best game of the season, allowing no hits in her five innings, striking out seven of the first eight batters she faced, and allowing only four baserunners, including one via an error before being pulled. She struck out two of the first three batters with change-ups. The second out in the third inning was the first time an Osbourn batter had a fair ball against her. Of her nine strikeouts in the five innings, six were caught with their bats on their shoulders. Christina added another two whiffs.
The Wolverines struck for a 2-0 lead in the home half of the first. Nikki reached on an infield single to second. With two outs, Raven doubled her in, and Jayne followed with a similar ringing double.
West Potomac increased the lead by half in the second when Megan's single was turned into an additional two-base error by the left fielder. Megan alertly went to third on it, and scored on Olivia's picture perfect sacrifice bunt.
The team doubled the lead to 6-0 in the third, taking advantage of some Osprey errors and two doubles. Annabelle led off with a double, and then Raven and Jayne were both gifted bases with errors. Annabelle scored at some random point during the errors, but this reporter didn't write down the specific play (feel free to fire me, but if you do, replace me with someone who uses fewer parenthetical inserts -- they get disruptive after a bit!). Megan capped off the scoring in the inning with a two run double.
The girls liked scoring three runs so much they did it again in the fourth. Katie's walk to lead off was followed by Nikki's liner to left for a single. Annabelle collected two more RBI with a double, and then Raven drove her in with a double.
Osbourn tried to scratch their way back into it with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth against Christina in the 6th, but she fought her way out of trouble. Maddie made sure the door slammed shut when she made the fielding play of the day with a diving catch with two outs and a runner on first. Having survived the sixth, Christina pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to close out the game.
Annabelle's double in the bottom of the sixth to drive in her sister after Maddie's double capped the scoring.
Wolverine Whispers: The team enjoys a much deserved break through Monday. Then, they have make-up games Monday and Wednesday. On the 21st they play Annandale at West Potomac stadium in a Conference match-up, then take on Lee at home on the 23rd.
Members of the "Three and/or Three" (three hits or three RBI in the doubleheader) include Annabelle and Raven (both had four hits, including three doubles) and five RBIs. Jayne had three hits (two doubles) and four RBI. Nikki had four hits, while Megan had three hits (one double) and three RBI.
Not to be outdone, the West Potomac squad was also dominant on the defensive side, with potent pitching and nearly flawless fielding. In fact, starting pitcher Jayne Orleans had a no hitter through five innings against Osbourn until she was pulled.
Annandale Game/22-0 West Potomac Win
The Annandale game started as a rout, and stayed that way. West Potomac lost the coin flip, and batted first. It was the only thing the Wolverines were to lose that day. After a leadoff out, 13 straight Wolverines reached base, with 10 scoring. Hits in the first inning were collected by Raven Williams (double plating two), Jayne Orleans (RBI single), Torie Bolger (RBI single), Nikki Minnis (single that land on the right field foul line, scoring one), Annabelle Miller (RBI single), and Raven again (another RBI, this time on a single). Also collecting RBI were Eliza Treadway, Maddie Miller (both on bases-loaded walks), and Jayne (hit by a pitch with the bases full).
Staked to a 10-0 lead, Jayne had few problems smashing the Atoms in the first inning. West Potomac tacked on another four runs in the second, behind four hits and two walks. Olivia Manous led off with a single, stole second, before Eliza singled her to third. Annabelle collected an RBI via a free pass with the bases loaded. Raven singled in another run for her fourth RBI of the game, and then Jayne hit a ringing double to right for two more runs (and her third/fourth RBIs of the game).
The game was delayed a couple of times between the dust bowl like effects of the strong winds, and once when sticks from the osprey nest above the light tower were blown onto the infield. The Wolverine Park osprey was just making a statement about the next game. (Editor's note: What was the statement? Reporter's note: wait for the next game's write-up.)
Coach Craig started emptying his bench quickly, replacing Jayne with Christina Dillard, bringing in Harley Devine to catch, Eliza to play second, and Izzy Crawn in right. Christina cruised throughout the game, allowing just one Atom to reach second base. Annandale hit no bombs the entire game. (Editor: the first two Atom references were good, but this one is a stretch. Reporter: I know, but I was desperate to get an "atom bomb" line in before the game story ended.)
Olivia's double to right get the 3rd inning started, as the team tacked on four more runs. Eliza and Izzy both walked. Caroline Bowman, inserted to play 3rd base, singled in a run with a smack to left, followed by Katie Hinkell knocking another single for an RBI. Christina was retired on a fielder's choice, but another run came in on the play.
The final five runs came in fourth (which was the Wolverines last licks because of the time limit). Harley and Olivia both walked. Eliza's infield single loaded the bases. Maddie and Caroline followed with RBI singles, and then Katie pushed a run across with a bases loaded walk. Christina got another RBI on another fielder's choice. Megan closed out the scoring with a single up the middle.
Osbourn Game/10-2 West Potomac Win
The game against Osbourn was eagerly awaited -- after all, the Eagles had lost to Lake Braddock on Saturday by just a 5-1 score, similar to the four run deficit in the Wolverine-Bruins game. There was a good chance this game would be a tough nailbiter of a game.
But not this time. Not today.
Ornithological (Editor: hey, you spelled it right the first time! Reporter: dumb luck) fans know that osprey kick the proverbial heck out of eagles when they duel. West Potomac are the Wolverines, but we have our own osprey that watches over us. So, the Eagles didn't have a prayer against our osprey.
This was a slow squeeze rather than a quick blowout like the 10-0 start to the Annandale game. But, by the time Osbourn got their first hit of the game, the score was already 9-0 in the top of the sixth.
Jayne pitched her best game of the season, allowing no hits in her five innings, striking out seven of the first eight batters she faced, and allowing only four baserunners, including one via an error before being pulled. She struck out two of the first three batters with change-ups. The second out in the third inning was the first time an Osbourn batter had a fair ball against her. Of her nine strikeouts in the five innings, six were caught with their bats on their shoulders. Christina added another two whiffs.
The Wolverines struck for a 2-0 lead in the home half of the first. Nikki reached on an infield single to second. With two outs, Raven doubled her in, and Jayne followed with a similar ringing double.
West Potomac increased the lead by half in the second when Megan's single was turned into an additional two-base error by the left fielder. Megan alertly went to third on it, and scored on Olivia's picture perfect sacrifice bunt.
The team doubled the lead to 6-0 in the third, taking advantage of some Osprey errors and two doubles. Annabelle led off with a double, and then Raven and Jayne were both gifted bases with errors. Annabelle scored at some random point during the errors, but this reporter didn't write down the specific play (feel free to fire me, but if you do, replace me with someone who uses fewer parenthetical inserts -- they get disruptive after a bit!). Megan capped off the scoring in the inning with a two run double.
The girls liked scoring three runs so much they did it again in the fourth. Katie's walk to lead off was followed by Nikki's liner to left for a single. Annabelle collected two more RBI with a double, and then Raven drove her in with a double.
Osbourn tried to scratch their way back into it with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth against Christina in the 6th, but she fought her way out of trouble. Maddie made sure the door slammed shut when she made the fielding play of the day with a diving catch with two outs and a runner on first. Having survived the sixth, Christina pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to close out the game.
Annabelle's double in the bottom of the sixth to drive in her sister after Maddie's double capped the scoring.
Wolverine Whispers: The team enjoys a much deserved break through Monday. Then, they have make-up games Monday and Wednesday. On the 21st they play Annandale at West Potomac stadium in a Conference match-up, then take on Lee at home on the 23rd.
Members of the "Three and/or Three" (three hits or three RBI in the doubleheader) include Annabelle and Raven (both had four hits, including three doubles) and five RBIs. Jayne had three hits (two doubles) and four RBI. Nikki had four hits, while Megan had three hits (one double) and three RBI.
Photos From the Doubleheader Sweep
It's always good to throw your
first pitch with a 10-0 lead.
There are always a lot of
5-3s or 6-3s in my notepad.
Christina, pensive before hitting.
C-Bo and Izzy are ready for the play.
Eliza readies the throw.
Even the osprey nest got into the act, as wind
blew some sticks from the nest onto the field.
An oft repeated scene as a West Po baserunner
(Katie) cross the plate with one of 32 runs on the day.
Nikki wasn't far behind.
And another run by Annabelle.
Christina fires another strike.
A nearby fire drew some attention, also
making this more than a sports website.
The coaches enjoy the tournament runner-up
trophy. Coach Minnis is especially fascinated.
The team is envisioning the bigger trophy next year.
Monday, April 14, 2014
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