Deb Spalding
To qualify for state playoffs, the Catoctin High School (CHS) Lady Cougars softball team won the Class 2A West Region title on May 20, 2016, in an away game against Liberty, by a score of 3-2. Catoctin went into the contest with a record of 19-3.
The Lady Cougars’ next contest was the Maryland State Class 2A Semifinals on May 25, 2016. Michaela Persinger led off with a single and Allison Larochelle followed with a SAC bunt attempt that she beat out for a base hit. Persinger moved to third on the throw. Larochelle stole second base and North East attempted to pick off Persinger at third. The ball went into left field, allowing the Cougars to score their first run. Jessi Bryant then followed with the two-run home run. Bryant tied the Maryland State homerun record by hitting her fourteenth homer of the season.
In the third inning, Persinger again led off with a single and, again, Larochelle followed with a bunt single. Bryant then hit another homerun to break the Maryland State record with her fifteenth homer of the season. Persinger and Bryant both had three hits, Larochelle had two hits, and Lexie Ridenour had one hit.
Catoctin earned the win, with Bryant pitching a complete-game four- hitter with five strikeouts.
Catoctin’s defense was solid, making several key plays, getting the lead runner out multiple times. Marlee Dinterman dove for a ball up the middle to get a force out at second, Katie Shugars dove to stop an errant throw to keep runners from advancing, and Ashley Mayton caught a line drive in right field to save a run from scoring.
Catoctin won this game 6-1 over North East of Cecil County.
With a record of 20-3, Catoctin advanced to the Class 2A State Championship that was held at the University of Maryland Softball stadium on May 27.
Catoctin had high hopes for success in this games, but by the third inning, La Plata had a 4-0 lead. Catoctin fought hard, but couldn’t get the bats hitting. Jessi Bryant earned Catoctin’s single run (her sixteenth homerun) of the game against the talented La Plata pitcher, Alyssa Bilodeau. Bilodeau gave up just three hits in the contest; Bryant’s homer, catcher Ginna Morris’ short pop single, and Grace Mazaleski’s grounder to Bilodeau.
Catoctin delivered a consistent fight throughout the contest while waiting for the break that never came. La Plata won the State contest 9 to 1.
Catoctin loses four seniors, Katie Shugars (first base), Ginna Morris (catcher), Marlee Dinterman (short stop), and Lexie Ridenour (second base).
Congratulations to the players and coaches for your success and an outstanding season!
Catoctin High School Softball team battles La Plata at the Class 2A State Championship game, held at the University of Maryland Softball stadium on May 27, 2016.
