Contact: Jenni Brockman
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Scotty Sports Corner, April 2, 2001
By Hollis Duncan
St. Margaret's School Staff Writer
Varsity Softball Anticipates Strong Showing in 2001
Tappahannock, VA (April 2, 2001) - Coming off a two-week spring break, with time for only one practice, the St. Margaret's varsity softball team nonetheless turned in a solid performance at the Lancaster Invitational Softball Tournament to finish second in a field of three.
The 2001 varsity softball team at St. Margaret's School includes: Head Coach Sue Saunders, Page Winebrenner of Tappahannock, Nikki Clark of Lively, Taylor Ellis of Dunnsville, Claire Hopkins of Oak Grove, and Mary Burke Parker, Olivia Longest, Michelle Sylva and Ann Kramer Osburn, all of Tappahannock. Not pictured: Manager Whitney Crandall of Kilmarnock, Lauren Crockett and Tess Duncan of Irvington, Shannon Davis of Tappahannock and Emily Stevens of Center Cross.
The Scotties overcame multiple obstacles en route to the tournament's championship game on March 24. An unfamiliar grass playing surface, gusty winds and back-to-back games versus a better-rested opponent tested the team's mettle. St. Margaret's lost to Lancaster, 10-4.
"Those aren't excuses," said Head Coach Sue Saunders. "However, they do speak to this team's ability to handle adversity, make adjustments and be in the game."
After all, a second-place finish in a March tournament with a field of quality teams constitutes a fine start - enough to make supporters of the St. Margaret's program optimistic heading into the 2001 season.
The performance of junior pitcher Shannon Davis was another bright spot. Coming off of knee surgery earlier this year, Davis registered nine strikeouts without surrendering a walk in the tournament semi-final against Matthews High School. In the second game, in relief of sophomore pitcher Paige Winebrenner, Davis registered three strikeouts and three walks.
The team's firepower is expected to be another strength. St. Margaret's batters hit for .320 and .545 against Mathews and Lancaster, respectively, to average .448 at the plate in the tournament.
The going was tougher on March 28 in Richmond, however, when the Scotties faced St. Gertrude's School. St. Margaret's went down 0-10 in five innings as St. Gertrude's scored on multiple errors. Senior first baseman Tess Duncan made a triple, one of the Scotties' two successful hits against an effective St. Gertrude's outfield.
"It looked like everything we hit was right at somebody, and everything they hit went right past us," Saunders said. "We've got the talent, though. I'm sure this game will be the exception, and not the norm."
The Scotties next home game will be against St. Anne's-Belfield on Friday, March 30, followed by St. Vincent's on Thursday, April 10. Games are played at the Essex County Little League ballpark in Tappahannock. Visit St. Margaret's on the Web for a comprehensive spring sports calendar covering crew, lacrosse, softball and tennis.
