McDonough softball downs La Plata
Rams offense takes charge in later innings for win
Entering Friday’s Southern Maryland Athletic Conference Potomac Division softball contest, McDonough had already experienced playing in the bitter cold during the young season.
So when the Rams squared off against its county foe La Plata under the overcast skies, gusty winds and chilly temperatures, they were more than prepared.
McDonough eluded the weather with flying colors as it ripped off eight unanswered runs en route to a 9-2 victory over the defending Class 2A state champion Warriors in Pomfret.
After a 5-1 loss to 2016 3A state finalist Huntingtown on Monday, the Rams (6-3, 4-2 SMAC Potomac), the Rams have still won six of their last eight and looked to continue their hot streak at Northern on Tuesday. The team’s next scheduled game is at 4:30 p.m. April 18 at home versus Lackey.
“It was definitely a team effort win and I’m glad to finally see the bats come alive and put the ball in play, on this cold, frigid day in April.” Rams head coach Julie Snavely said. “Our defense was shaky here and there, but they came through. [Starting pitcher] Sarah Chen does what she always does and throws strikes, we just have to be behind her.”
McDonough, which finished with nine hits, led 1-0 after two innings, but La Plata took a 2-1 in the top of the third on an RBI bunt single by Hannah Kraft and an RBI double by J.C. Chamberlain.
The Rams took control from there, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third, four more in the fifth and one in the sixth to put the game away.
Chen went the distance on the rubber with seven strikeouts, allowing just two runs on six hits, while walking just two batters.
McDonough, which had six players in the lineup with at least one hit, was led by sophomore shortstop Reed Butler, who finished 3 for 4 at the plate with two RBIs, including a twoout solo home run in the sixth, the game’s final run.
“The pitch was inside and I just turned on it and it went over the fence,” said Butler on the home run. “This was a big win for us.”
Freshman third baseman Haley Arnold went for 2 for 3, including a two-run double in the fifth. Center fielder Stephanie Adams collected a hit and two RBIs, senior catcher Eliza Shontz added a RBI groundout and sophomore left fielder Jasmine Jordan also had a hit and a RBI.
“La Plata is always a good game in the county for us,” said Chen, who also had one hit and a walk at the plate. “After losing to them last year we definitely wanted to come back and take it this year. This is a big rivalry. They have some real good hitters, I just wanted to mix my pitches up and locating different spots.”
La Plata, which left eight runners on base, got production from freshman pitcher Sierra Sanderson, who threw six innings and struck out four batters. Sanderson also had a double at the plate.
“Overall, the girls didn’t come out with a lot of heart and we just played flat and did some things we shouldn’t have done,” La Plata head coach Dave Krahling said. “McDonough has a solid team and they made the plays they needed to. We are a young team, but we just have to play together.”
La Plata (3-6, 3-2 after a 12-0 win over Westlake on Monday) is next scheduled to play host to St. Charles at 4:30 p.m. April 19.