Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Bobcat girls stay perfect with 2-1 win over Raiders
When opposing teams manage to get a runner on third against Battlefield's powerhouse pitching-catching team, they had best bring her home because opportunities like that are few and far between.Last Thursday night in Haymarket, Stonewall Jackson trailed Battlefield 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning with two outs.
Stonewall Jackson left-fielder Sam Smith had just scored on a dropped fly ball to deep left field that allowed hitter Brittney Orsborn to truck all the way to third base after a throwing error.
Second baseman Krystal Smith then stepped to the plate and launched an 0-1 offering from Battlefield's ace pitcher Brittany Black into center field. Despite her effort, the ball hung in the air and dropped harmlessly into the glove of Kelsie Scott.
That would be the last chance for the Stonewall offense to make a dent; once the seventh inning rolled around, the Blackout ensued.
One, two, three: down went the Raiders in succession on a strikeout, groundout, and one more strikeout to call it an evening.
"It's looking good. It's looking real good," said Battlefield star catcher Courtney Liddle, of her battery mate's pitching.
Black's pitching repertoire is as explosive as ever, ranging from heat-seeking fastballs and rises to spot-on change-ups and curves. That has caused her to get ahead in the count often, giving her backing defense more confidence in the field.
"We're definitely a lot more aggressive, we attack the ball a lot better than we did last year," said Black.
Liddle provided the senior hurler all the run support she needed against Stonewall starter Susie Finzel. The 3-hole hitter cranked an inside-the-park solo homer in the bottom of the first inning after clubbing the ball over the center-fielder's head.
She then reached base again in the third inning and advanced to second base on a wild pitch with Black at the plate. After Black struck out on a check-swing, first baseman Shannon Clearly clocked the first pitch she saw from Finzel into center field for an RBI single.
"Me and Courtney have a really strong connection out there," said Cleary. "Whenever she gets on base, I know it's my job to hit her in and she knows I'm going to hit her in."
One year after losing an ace of their own in graduate Melissa Kirby, Stonewall showed surprising resilience against the power-packed Bobcat lineup.
Finzel's defensive teammates were able to keep the Raiders close all night and keep the Bobcats off the board for four of six innings.
"That was our best team effort, all around. I wasn't scared to throw whatever because I knew they would be there tonight," said Finzel.
Ponte agreed, saying she thought her team played solid in the field but happened to hit the ball to the wrong spots.
"Some days we hit, some days we don't, so if we can get a game against a team like Battlefield where we're on with our bats and we're playing [defense] like we did tonight, I think we're going to battle with the best of them," she said.
The only problem was Battlefield's defense played as well as its offense, even with a new look at third base.
Sophomore Bailey Liddle, the younger sister of Courtney, made the transition from left field to the hot corner this year following the graduation of Kaitlyn Sileo. The sophomore Liddle showcased her talent by zinging fielded grounders across the infield to Cleary at first base with ease.
"I don't have to worry about real hard shots because everyone's usually behind her," the sophomore Liddle said, referring to Black. "So, I mean I definitely feel comfortable with Brittany pitching. It's awesome; I like it a lot."
Her role in the line-up has changed this year too as she is now asked to swing away in clutch situations with runners on base instead of bunting, slapping or drag-hitting her way to first.
Overall, the Battlefield starting line-up has lots of familiar faces, but along with Sileo, there is another missing link from the 2008 district and regional championship squad: four-year pitcher Megan Sutphin, who graduated the day before Battlefield lost the state championship last year.
However, if Black stays injury-free this year and delivers like she has the first eight games of the season, then the Bobcats may just have another chance to finish the job they began last season.
"We're so much hungrier this year than we were last year. Now that we've tasted that state championship game, that's what we're reaching for. We have a countdown. Now, it's 8-0 and 21 to go. That's how it's going to stay," said Courtney Liddle.
You must be logged in to post a comment.