The Madison High girls’ softball team captured its own spring break tournament on Saturday, April 4 with a 2-0 win over defending Northern Region champion Westfield. Both teams entered the title game still unbeaten in the early part of the season. The game was a pitchers’ dual throughout. Madison got onto the scoreboard in the fifth inning off a batted ball from Toni MacReynolds, which drove in Khristin Kyllo. The score remained 1-0 until the top of the seventh when Kaila Conlon’s solid base hit drove in Alexa Fleming to give Madison a 2-0 lead.
For the game, MacReynolds contributed two of the Warhawks' six hits to pace the offense.
Madison pitcher Sam Brady pitched a no-hitter in the complete game win. She struck out five batters and walked three. The Madison defense was solid with some outstanding defensive plays by Kyllo at shortstop. The game ended on a double play turned by second baseman Conlon.
Earlier that same day, Madison defeated Woodson, 9-0, to gain a spot in the championship game. Ashley Meister and Nina Waters combined to pitch a four-hit shutout for Madison. MacReynolds had two hits and five RBIs to lead the Warhawks’ offense. Kyllo contributed two hits and scored three runs, and Laura Wolff also added a pair of hits.
Madison, in its first game of the tournament, won over Mount Vernon, 6-0. Meister, Brady and Waters combined to pitch a shutout with 10 combined strikeouts and one hit allowed. Offensively, the Warhawks had nine hits, including two each from Conlon and MacReynolds. Also for Madison, Kyllo, Meister, Brady, EmJ Fogel and Wolff each contributed hits.
In more recent Madison softball action, the Warhawks improved to 8-0 on the season with a 3-0 win over non-district opponent Lake Braddock on Monday, April 6. It was Madison’s fifth shutout win of the spring season.
Madison, which played an outstanding defensive game, used three pitchers — starter Meister and relievers Brady and Waters — in the shutout win over the Bruins. Great plays in the field came from third baseman MacReynolds and right fielder Lindsay Weber, who made a running catch to end the game.
Offensively for the Warhawks, Wolff had two hits and a stolen base and MacReynolds walked three times. Others contributing to the offensive charge were Kyllo, Brady, Conlon and freshman Holly Vizek.
Earlier this spring , Madison defeated Liberty District opponent Jefferson, 10-0. Meister and Waters combined for the pitching shutout for Madison, allowing only four hits to Colonial batters. To complement the pitching, Madison's defense took several well-hit balls and made them outs. One of the game’s top plays came on a running catch by Madison left fielder Veronica Slingerman. At the plate, McReynolds and Wolff both knocked three hits.
<b>THE MARSHALL HIGH BASEBALL TEAM</b> captured first place at the 2009 Cheers Sports Spring Break Baseball Tournament, hosted by both the Freedom (South Riding) and Park View high school teams. Marshall earned the title by defeating Park View, 11-1, in the finals game played on April 7 at Freedom.
Marshall advanced to the championship game by winning the Eagle Bracket with a 2-1 record. That set the Statesmen up to face Patriot Bracket champion Park View, which went 3-0 in pool play.
Playing in front of many bundled up and wind whipped fans that looked like they were attending a football game instead of enjoying the warmth of traditional baseball weather, Marshall jumped out to a three-run lead in the top of the first inning and never looked back on way to an 11-1 championship game win over Park View. Marshall starting pitcher Jake Bennett earned the win, allowing one run and five hits over five innings of work. Reliever Kyle Barrand pitched the sixth and final innings, allowing just one hit.
Trey Thomas and Bryan Whittington led the Marshall offense with good games. Defensively, the Statesmen made several "SportsCenter" type Web gems, including a particularly nice play by center fielder Mitch MacKeith. Marshall had its third errorless game in the four-game tournament.
In Marshall’s first spring break tourney game, the Statesmen defeated Liberty, 11-1. Mitch MacKeith earned the win on the mound and multi-hit games came from Greg Goldsmith, Whittington and MacKeith. Marshall lost its next game, 11-10, to Liberty District foe Thomas Jefferson. Tom Pacheco (two hits), Thomas (three), Goldsmith (two) and Kevin Williamson (one) had Marshall’s only hits, while Jefferson had seven hits. Both teams, playing in windy conditions, made several errors.
Next up for Marshall was host Freedom in the decisive pool round game. The Statesmen won, 8-6, behind the exceptional pitching of Goldsmith, who struck out 13 batters over five innings.
Freedom made the game interesting by tying it up at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Marshall responded with five runs in the top of the seventh.
Aaron Gooding and Thomas both had a pair of hits in the win that advanced the Statesmen to the finals against Park View (Dulles District).
Overall in the tournament, Goldsmith and Thomas led the Statesmen with seven hits each. Whittington led Marshall with 10 runs scored over the four games, while Thomas drove in 10 runs.
The following players were selected to the All-Tournament team: Brian Whittington (second baseman/pitcher) of Marshall High; Trey Thomas (designated-hitter/pitcher) of Marshall; Jonathan Mason (catcher/pitcher) of Park View; Ben Rosado (third base/pitcher)of Park View; Cody Donalon (third base/pitcher) of Liberty; Colin Milon (right field) of Bishop O'Connell; Brendan Shockley (designated-hitter/third base) of Freedom; Jonathon Knight (second base) of Dominion.