by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
CHANTILLY – Lee-Davis coach Jackie Davis thought a four in the scoreline could mean a victory for her youthful Confederates.
But she wanted it under the ‘R’ column, not the one under the ‘E’.
Lee-Davis, usually a stout defensive team, committed four errors, and a potent hitting McLean team took advantage to the tune of a 4-2 victory for the state Group AAA softball championship.
The Highlanders scratched out seven hits against Kelly Heinz, which seemed like 14 since the sensational sophomore was coming off of a perfect game 24 hours before.
Most of the hits came a critical junctures, with McLean runners on the base paths and in scoring position.
“We made mistakes defensively that cost us,” Davis said.
“That’s usually our game plan. It seemed like we had the same gameplan.
“Try to put the ball in play and make the other
teams make mistakes.”
L-D scratched out a run in the third inning as the speedy Haleigh Cottrell scored from third on senior Amanda Parker‘s grounder.
Still with the bases loaded, Lee-Davis wouldn’t score again until the bottom of the seventh.
McLean would put up four runs in that span.
Jessie Straub‘s run answered right away in the top of the fourth, set up by a throwing error to first base that allowed Straub to advance to third.
Lauren Sutherland drove in Carolyn Gilbertson, who had reached second base after an error on a ball to first to throw her out. It got in the dugout and advance her to scoring position.
“Those are game breakers I’m sorry to say,” Highlanders coach Maurice Tawil said of Lee-Davis’ errors. “Against a good team you can’t make those errors, and we’ve guarded against that all season long.
“And today, we didn’t make any.”
Lee-Davis picked the wrong day to have a tough defensive game, but still managed to have the best softball season in school history, having made its first appearance in a state final game with only one senior on the roster.
“I know they don’t want to hear it now, but they’ll be back here next year,” Tawil said.
McLean 000 102 1 – 4 7 0
Lee-Davis 001 000 1 – 2 6 4
Bell and Gilbertson; Heinz and Cottrell
Records: McLean (25-5); Lee-Davis (21-2)
Processing your request, Please wait....
