The Brentsville District varsity softball team could be in first place in the district like usual or second place like they were entering this past weekend with Sherando on top.

Neither matters. With the Northwestern District tournament just around the corner, no game is to be taken too lightly.

With that in mind, the Tigers drubbed division rival Skyline 15-0 last Friday evening in Nokesville, sending 13 batters to the plate in the first inning alone as part of a eight-run opening. The game was called after 4.5 innings due to the district's 15-run-lead slaughter rule.

One Brentsville's best strengths proved to be patience. The Tigers showcased resilience at the plate as seven batters fell behind in the count in the first inning, including the first five in a row. Six out of eight batters that hacked a foul ball ultimately reached base and only one struck out.

This led to the Brentsville line-up either finding the right pitch to club or reaching base on walks.

"They did a good job tonight at pitch selection, for the most part," said BD coach Amy Beard.

Brentsville caught a few breaks on the basepaths too by advancing on fielding and pitching follies, including back-to-back infield errors in the second inning that ultimately led to three runs, including two off a liner that bounced off the left-fielder's glove.

Had MVP honors went to any batter that day, it would have been one of the "impact" freshmen described by injured pitcher Devon Hileman: centerfielder Kayla Dost.

The freshman accentuated her 4-4 showing at the plate by rocking a first-pitch fastball from starter Amanda Witlin over the left-field wall for a homerun in the second inning that put Brentsville up 9-0.

"I thought it was going to be caught because I like closed my eyes and swung but I was really happy when it went over," said Dost. "It makes me feel more confident."

Dost capped her perfect performance by driving in the game's final run in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and runners at first and second base.

The freshman fouled off an 0-2 offering from left-handed reliever Casey Henry before smacking a single to center-field right over the pitcher's head, bringing in shortstop Becki Tucker for the eventual game-winner.

"She's on right now. We really need here [down] the stretch," said Beard.

Of course, a nice day at the plate means little without the pitching to back it up. Enter junior ace Grace Nordan (9K, 4H, 4BB, 0ER, 5.0 IP), who kept the Hawks hitless for the first two innings on her way to pitching a complete-game shutout.

Nordan struck out the side in the second and fourth, overcoming early control problems that resulted with runners in scoring position in the first inning and led to the bases being loaded in the third.

With runners on the corners and two out in the first, third basemen Abby Carpenter scooped up a grounder for a throw-out sling to first to end the early offensive threat.

Skyline later caught the Brentsville defense off guard after the first Skyline hit of the game -- a bunt by junior outfielder Allyson Mitchell -- as an errant throw on an attempted force out to second base put two runners on base.

Nordan then walked senior Tootie Jackson on a full-count to load the bases, but an 0-1 grounder to Rachel Lee in the second base position whisked away Skyline's best chance to do any damage on the scoreboard.

"Well, my whole team, they have my back and they encourage me, which makes me feel more realaxed so I can pitch what I want. Even if I do walk people, they can get the outs," said Nordan.

One year after a heart-breaking home loss in the regional semi-final with the tying run being gunned out during a play at the plate, Brentsville is setting its sights directly on capturing the regional title this year. The team has two guaranteed quality pitchers with Tori Thompson, who played first base against Skyline, having filled in for Hileman on the rubber thihis year.

Nordan made no bones about what she and her Tiger comrades are setting out to do come post-season.

"This year we have it in minds fresh from last year. And we're out for blood. We want to win," she said.