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CATONSVILLE BATTLES BACK FROM LOSER'S BRACKET TO TAKE REGION XX CROWN May 11, 2005 - On a sunny but cool weekend at Stetham Park in Waldorf, Md., the Catonsville Cardinals suffered only their third loss of the season to fall into the loser's bracket, then battled back to win three straight games to win the Region XX Softball Tournament and earn a berth in the National Tournament, May 19-21 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. GAME RESULTS CSM 1 Potomac State 0 On a cool clear day, with temperatures in the low 60's, the Region XX Tournament opened up with the Hawks taking on Potomac State in an elimination game. CSM scored in the first inning for the only run of the inning, and Jessica Perry pitched out of several jams as the Hawks made the run stand up, and eliminated Potomac State. With one out in the first, Jamie Buckler singled, and moved to second when Ashley Cook reached on an error by the Potomac State shortstop. Dawn Leigh's single drove Buckler home with the only run of the game. The Catamounts threatened the entire game, stranding 12 runners, but each time Jessica Perry was able to pitch her way out of the jam without a run scoring. Potomac State left the bases loaded in the 2nd inning, and again had the bases loaded in the 3rd inning with just one out. However Perry struck out Whitney Daugherty, and got Brittany Johnson to ground into a fielder's choice to end the threat. In the 7th, Potomac State got the lead off runner to 2nd, when Jodie Sites doubled just over the out stretched glove of Melissa Boswell in right. Perry got Jessica Gooden to pop out to Jamie Buckler at short for the first out, but then walked Megan Frazier on a 3-2 pitch to put runners on first and second with just one out. Again Jessica Perry was able to buckle down when she needed to, as she struck out the final two batters to end the game. Somer Miller was the only Hawk with two hits, as she singled and doubled. Miller also stole a base. Potomac State finished the season 15-14.
In the other first round elimination game, Allegany cruised over Chesapeake 12-3, sending the Skipjacks home early. After Chesapeake had threatened in the top of the first, loading the bases with two outs, Allegany sent twelve batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, scoring seven runs to break the game open early. Chesapeake chipped away, scoring two in the third and another in the fifth to cut the Trojan lead to 7-3. However Allegany erupted for five more runs in the bottom of the 5th to salt the game away 12-3. Heather Proud led the Allegany attack going 2-2 with two doubles and six RBI's, Amanda Helmstetter was 3-3 with two runs scored, Becky Vance was 2-2 with two RBI's and a run scored, and Bethany Sindy was 2-2 with a double and a run scored. Kelly Henckel was 2-2, Katie Satterlee was 2-2 with a run scored, and Heather Yanez was 2-3 with a RBI, to pace the Skipjacks. Chesapeake finished 3-14 for the season.
With second round play becoming double elimination, the Hawks ran into a buzz saw when they advanced to play top seed Catonsville. After Jessica Balta shut down the Cardinals in the first, Catonsville scored eight runs in the second to break the game open. Jackie Wineke went 2-3, Theresa Rouse was 2-3 with two runs scored, and Sarah Knotts was 2-3 with 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored to pace the Cardinals. Elizabeth Slater pitched a shut-out, limiting the Hawks to just three hits. Somer Miller was the bright spot at the plate again for the Hawks, going 2-2. Ashley Cook got the other hit for the Hawks.
In one of the most exciting games of the first day, #2 Hagerstown battled #3 Allegany for the right to advance in the winner's bracket. Hagerstown drew first blood, when Megan Riggleman singled in the bottom of the first, and Jess Stough tripled, to give Hagerstown the early 1-0 lead. It was a tight pitchers duel between Hagerstown's Casey Woods, and Allegany's Becky Vance, and the lead stood up until the top of the 5th. Heather Proud singled, and was sacrificed to second. With two outs, Danielle Morozek singled to score Proud and tie the game at 1-1. Allegany took the lead in the top of the 6th, 2-1. Tori Lease singled to lead off the inning, and was sacrificed to second. Again the Trojans came up with a big two out hit, as Becky Vance doubled to score Lease. Still trailing 2-1, in the bottom of the 7th, Hagerstown rallied to tie the game. Tawnya Blair singled to lead off the inning, and was sacrificed to second. With two outs, Christina Line doubled to knot the game a 2-2 and force extra innings. Allegany scored in the top half of the 8th, on three consecutive singles. Lacy Rorhbaugh singled, moved to second on Tori Lease's single, and scored on Amanda Helmstetter's single, to put the Trojans up 3-2. Hagerstown looked to rally once again in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with just one out. However Becky Vance bore down, striking out the last two batters to end the game.
In the final game on the first day, Hagerstown and CSM faced each other in a do or die elimination game. It was a tight pitcher's duel for the first three innings between CSM's Jessica Perry, and Hagerstown's Casey Woods. Five singles plated three runs for Hagerstown in the bottom of the fourth, to give them a 3-0 lead. Two singles and an error gave Hagerstown an unearned run in the fifth for a 4-0 lead. CSM was unable to solve the pitching combination of Casey Woods, and Krystal Barrett who relieved her in the 5th, managing only three hits on the day, one each by Jessica Balta, Jessica Perry, and Ashley Cook. CSM's biggest threat was in the 4th, when Dawn Leigh walked, was sacrificed to second, and Jessica Perry followed with a single, putting runners on first and third with just one out. However a pop up to the pitcher and a flyout to center ended the CSM threat without a run scoring. CSM finished the season 10-11.
SUNDAY, MAY 8 Allegany 1 Catonsville 0 The day was sunny but cool as both teams sought to advance undefeated in the tournament. It turned out to be a classic pitcher's duel between two of Region XX's top pitchers, Allegany's Becky Vance, and Elizabeth Slater from Catonsville. Both defenses battled a fierce wind blowing from left to right through out the game. The game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth, when Catonsville's defense broke down and two errors allowed an unearned run to score. Amanda Helmstetter doubled with no outs, and scored on consecutive errors by the shortstop and third baseman to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead. Allegany subsequently loaded the bases with just one out, but Slater was able to pitch out of trouble with no further damage. However that one run was all Becky Vance needed, as she shut down Catonsville the rest of the way for the 1-0 win.
In another elimination game, Catonsville jumped on top early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-0 lead. Sara Schmidt singled, and moved to second when Elizabeth Slater walked. Danielle Ziegler's fielder's choice forced Slater, putting runners on first and second with one out. Kristen White singled, plating Schmidt, and Jackie Wineke's singled scored Ziegler. The third run scored on an error by the Hagerstown right fielder. The Cardinals plated two more in the third to jump on top 5-0. The big hit was Sarah Knott's RBI triple. Hagerstown scored their only run in the 4th, as Megan Riggleman reached on an error, stole second, and scored on Jess Stough's single. Hagerstown finished the season 16-9.
Catonsville faced Allegany for the second time, having to beat the Trojans twice to advance to the National Tournament. The strong wind had died down by game time, with the temperature warming to the mid-70's. The bats warmed up for both teams as well, as the game turned out to be a slugfest after the earlier pitcher's duel. Allegany looked to put the game away early, sending 10 hitters to the plate in the top of the first, scoring five runs to jump in top 5-0. Heather Proud's double plated two runs, and Karla's Shaffer's single scored another. The fourth run scored on an error, and Danielle Morozek's single drove home the final run of the inning. Catonsville chipped away at the lead, scoring a run in the third, and three more in the fifth to cut the lead to 5-4. In the 5th, Kristen White doubled with one out, and Chris Simmers reached on an error putting runners on the corners with one out. Jamie Zinkand singled home one run, and with two out Sarah Knotts doubled to drive home two more and pull the Cardinals within one run. Consecutive errors by Allegany put runners on first and second in the bottom of the 6th for Catonsville. Danny Ziegler's fielder's choice forced the runner at third, as runners remained on first and second, now with one out. Kristen White singled, plating the tying run, with the runners moving to second and third on the throw home. Chris Simmer's singled home the winning run, to give Catonsville a thrilling 6-5 come from behind win.
Catonsville's come from behind win set up the third meeting of the day between these teams, with a trip to the National Tournament in Iowa on the line. Pitching again dominated, as the game was scoreless through two innings. In the bottom of the third, Catonsville's Jackie Wineke tripled to lead off the inning, and Danny Ziegler followed with a double to put the Cardinals up 1-0. Kristen Rouse followed with a single, scoring Ziegler and Catonsville had a 2-0 lead. An error and fielder's choice would load the bases for Catonsville with just one out, but Allegany pitcher Becky Vance was able to bear down and escape with no further damage. With Catonsville clinging to the 2-0 lead, Allegany mounted a rally in the top of the 6th. With two out, Tori Lease singled, and stole second. Amanda Helmstetter doubled, pulling the Trojans within a run at 2-1. However Helmstetter was thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit into a triple, and the Trojans rally ended a run short. In the top of the 7th, Allegany managed to get the lead off hitter on base with the tying run. However Catonsville pitcher Elizabeth Slater bore down, and the Trojans were unable to advance her as their dream of the National Tournament faded with the setting sun. Catonsville advances to represent Region XX with a 27-3 record, Allegany finished the season at 17-8.
2005 Region XX Softball Tournament Results
Saturday, May 7
Allegany 12 Chesapeake 3
Second Round (Double elimination)
Sunday, May 8
Allegany 1 Catonsville 0
Catonsville 6 Allegany 5
All Tournament Team |