By Angela Watts
Assistant GM, Washington D.C. Metro Area
** Click the links to the left to access a full photo gallery and dozens of highlights from Wednesday’s semifinal game!
South County junior pitcher Chelsey Dunham was swarmed by her teammates near the pitching circle at Robinson High School Wednesday night after the Stallions come-from-behind victory over McLean in the night’s second Northern Region semifinal.
But unlike most games, it wasn’t a standout performance on the mound that ignited the celebration.
It was her heroics at the plate.
Dunham hit a two-out, walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning that scored junior third baseman Stephanie Sbardella and propelled the Stallions into Friday’s Northern Region championship. It also gave South County its first Virginia AAA state tournament berth in school history.
“We set our goal two years ago to go to the state tournament,” Stallions’ Coach Al Thompson said. “And it’s really exciting to do it, especially this year when, for the first time, we’re going to lose four seniors. And I love that they get to go with us.
“I also love that the eight juniors are going to get their shot now.”
That opportunity almost went to the young but determined McLean squad that totaled 11 hits and scored more run against the Stallions than any team had this season.
The Highlanders, who have no seniors on their roster, had already made school history by advancing to the semifinal round. And, leading 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh, they came within just two outs of moving on to the championship game.
But with the bases loaded and only one out, South County senior shortstop Meaghan Hunt blasted a two RBI triple to left field that scored Sbardella and junior second baseman Taylor Dillow to knot the score.
McLean freshman left fielder Allison Wilhelm alertly chased down the ball and hit shortstop Lauren McColgan, who was waiting on the grass in shallow left field. McColgan, who made several exceptional plays, turned and fired a strike to junior catcher Carolyn Gilbertson, who made the tag on South County senior first baseman Kayla Reisinger at the plate to save what would have been the game-winning run.
McColgan then made another great snag at shortstop for the inning’s third out to send the game to extra innings, but it was Dunham who sealed the come-from-behind victory two innings later.
“This was a stomach-sickening game,” Thompson said, laughing. “I’ve said before that we’re hard to score on, and that wasn’t the case tonight. So it was the first time we’d seen that. So the offense had to step up.
“I’m just so proud of the girls. McLean came to play tonight, just like great teams always do. But we’re not quitters.
“We hung in there and responded when we needed to. I think it’s fair to say it was exciting for everybody.”
Email: awatts@digitalsports.com
Score by Innings R H E
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McLean Highlander........ 100 201 100 - 5 11 3
South County Stallions.. 001 101 201 - 6 13 3
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