Softball: Cougars Pull Out Victory in Pitchers' Duel

Ray Gordon might have a young softball squad on his hands, but he also has a team that can show a maturity beyond even his expectations.

The Cougars fought hard against the Robinson Rams in a game that maintained a 1-1 score through four-and-a-half innings, eventually breaking the tie in the bottom of the sixth to earn the win.

"[Robinson] just beat Westfield last night, and Westfield's probably the best team in our district," said Gordon, head coach. "So this is a huge win for us. I think some of them are starting to believe they're varsity players."

Oakton is now 2-0 in Concorde District competition. They are 3-2 overall.

The game started with a strikeout from Rams leadoff Briana Banks. But a line drive single from Clare McGowan and another from Emily Kleman to score McGowan would give the Rams their only run of the game.

But rather than waiting two innings to settle down as they did in , the girls answered back in the bottom of the inning. Emily Corridon started things off with a single to center field, one of two hits for the junior center fielder. Emily Krisanda followed her with a double to put runners at second and third. After a rare strikeout from Davis, Mandy Krage drove in Corridon with a sacrifice fly to center field.

And the game stayed at 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth, with pitchers from both teams racking up strikeouts: Davis struck out eight; Rams pitcher Lauren Stapleton struck out nine.

"We're so strong at the top of the lineup we were trying to just let them swing for most of the game," Gordon said of his approach to this matchup. "But that wasn't working so we tried to bunt a couple times, but that didn't really work either. So we just had to keep pressure on them and hope we're not the ones who make a mistake."

The bottom of the sixth started with a popout from Davis. But Mandy Krage would get things going for the Cougars in the next at-bat. Krage hit a single to right field. Abby Mills would reach first on an error from McGowan at second base, which also would allow Angie Noviello, courtesy runner for Krage, to reach second. Becky Cerva then hit a single to center field to load the bases.

On a 1-1 count, Kelsea Sinnett hit the ball hard back at the pitcher, who was unable to stop it, allowing the ball the roll past second base and Noviello to score the winning run.

The Cougars next play Centreville at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

This article has been corrected to name Lauren Stapleton as the Rams pitcher.