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Softball: Patriots clip Raiders in high-scoring affair
A game featuring two of the better softball teams in the Dulles District turned into a slugfest Thursday night in Leesburg.Park View and Loudoun County combined for 34 hits and 23 runs as the Patriots outlasted the host Raiders, 13-10.
The scoring output was a surprise considering the teams combined for just three runs in a 2-1 Raider win on March 28.
“If you would have told me we would score 13 runs and I would have to worry about the end result, I would have told you you were nuts,” Park View coach Ed Abner said after the lengthy contest.
The victory moved the Patriots (5-2 in the Dulles) even in the loss column with the Raiders (6-2) for second place in the district.
“Our first game against County we came out a little too relaxed,” said Patriot senior catcher Samantha Louk who went 3 for 5 in the win with two RBIs and two runs scored.
“We thought we had it kind of sealed,” Louk continued in reference to the team's first meeting. “And they were a tough team so obviously we couldn't do that with them. Today, we just tried to get on top early and solidify the win.”
Park View's Laura Heironimus recorded the complete-game win to improve her record to 5-2. Robin Heironimus, Emily Garcia, Brittany Griffin and Louk each belted three hits. Griffin drove in three runs on two doubles.
“It's always big to beat the team that beat you,” Abner said. “They know that we are back and we know that they are there. We are probably going to see each other again in the [Dulles] tournament. I don't want to jump too far ahead but that's a possibility.”
The Patriots (5-4 overall) scored six runs in the fourth inning and added four more tallies in the fifth to turn a 2-2 tie into a 12-2 lead.
But County (10-2) battled back with six runs in the fifth and eventually brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh before Laura Heironimus closed the door.
“They have no quit,” Abner said. “When it was 12-2, a lot of teams would say 'alright, we'll get them next time'. These guys didn't quit at all and came right back out and hit the ball.”
Rochelle Latka, Holly Norris, Hope Flanagan and Lindsey Packard each delivered three hits to fuel the Raider offense.
“I take my hat off to Park View,” County coach Ryan Vance said. “They played a great game. Obviously, they hit really well against us. We obviously didn't have our best today, but the girls showed some gumption and battled back.”
The Raiders, who started just two seniors Thursday, won 10 of their first 11 games with the only loss coming against defending Virginia AA champion Broad Run.
“I think the girls have done a great job,” Vance said. “We didn't put too much pressure on us. We didn't try to have too high of expectations. But we came out of the gate hot and played really solid softball.”
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