Hawks Athletics

Hayfield Secondary School

Girls Varsity Softball

Game Summaries & Headlines.

VARSITY SOFTBALL -- HAWKS WIN NATIONAL DISTRICT TITLE OVER YORKTOWN, 3-2!!

Game Date: May 25, 2010
Score: HAWKS: 3
YORKTOWN (DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP): 2

HAWKS WIN NATIONAL DISTRICT TITLE OVER YORKTOWN, 3-2

Going into Tuesday night’s National District Championship against the Yorktown Patriots, the Hayfield Hawks knew they weren’t going to get many chances to score. Hayfield had put up tremendous numbers against all other district opponents this season by a combined score of 247-7, but in two previous contests this season against Yorktown pitcher Kate Bauman, the Hawks had managed only three runs and eight hits during the season series split.

The Hawks got to work early. In the bottom of the first, National District Player of the Year Hannah Williams smashed Bauman’s first pitch of the game deep to dead centerfield for a leadoff double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sam Perry-Shifflett, and scored on Amber Fowler’s RBI infield hit.

In the second inning, Kelly Sheaff drew a leadoff walk, and Kolbie Franco laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt attempt that forced a rushed throw to first, allowing Sheaff to move to third and put runners at the corners. Taryn McElhenny was next up and dropped a bunt in front of home that Yorktown catcher Kimmi Oldham had to hold on to with Sheaff’s speed at third. That loaded the bases for Jessica Reynolds, who grounded to second base. The Patriots’ Vivian Angrisani went for the force at home plate, but Sheaff beat the throw easily to make the score 2-0. Williams then singled hard up the middle and scored Franco from third.

Staked to a 3-0 lead after two innings, the Hawks looked to National District Pitcher of the Year Fowler to shut the door on the Patriots lineup. Hayfield had lost only once this season after scoring first in a game and it was a 5-1 defeat by Yorktown. Fowler was on her game and the score remained 3-0 until the top of the 6th. Katie Roberts led off with a walk, and Oldham singled to put runners at the corners. Oldham stole second and Yorktown sent Sarah Spaeth to the plate. Spaeth hit a fly ball to shallow left center, but Williams raced in to make a sprawling circus catch for the out. One run scored, but it prevented any further damage and stranded Oldham at second as Fowler got outs from Yorktown’s 3 and 4 hitters to end the inning.

With the Hawks needing only 3 outs for the win, Yorktown led off the top of the 7th with a double to left by Laurie Pinkerton. Fowler came back to strike out Kelly John and Kelsey Patterson. Down to their last out, Yorktown brought up Katie Kaufman, who wasn’t even on the varsity roster for the first two contests between the teams. Down to her last strike, Kaufman singled to right to bring in Pinkerton. Fowler then got the final out when Katie Roberts popped up to first baseman Katelyn Thorne.

The victory brought Hayfield (20-3, 16-1) its first district softball championship since 1999, and ended a three year reign by Yorktown (16-7, 14-3) over the National District.

Known all year as an offensive powerhouse, it was the Hawks’ pitching and defense that sealed the title. Tournament MVP Fowler had six strikeouts and had a drum-tight defense behind her, including a laser throw down in the top of the first by catcher Sam Perry-Shifflett to nail Oldham stealing second that set the tone for the game. The Hawks had a pregame scare when All-District shortstop and All-Met area RBI leader Megan Perry-Shifflett was listed as questionable after being shaken up during Hayfield's semifinal win over Mount Vernon, but after warmups she was ready to take the field.

The Hawks will have little time to celebrate the title as they will host a National Region 1st Round game against Marshall on Friday, May 28th. The Hawks defeated the Statesmen earlier in the season in a tightly contested 3-2 win.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Yorktown Patriots 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 4 2

Hayfield Hawks 1 2 0 0 0 0 x 3 5 0

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