Stingrays Rally to Edge Magic, Split FCGSL Doubleheader
On another damp, chilly afternoon at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, the Stingrays staged yet another dramatic rally to victory, edging the Mount Vernon Magic 7-6 to gain a split of their April 27 FCGSL doubleheader.
The Magic took a 2-0 lead in the first. The Stingrays got on the board in the third on Kelsey's RBI groundout, driving home Kaylyn after a hard-fought at-bat. A misplayed pop fly, however, led to a bases-loaded triple and a four-run rally by Mt. Vernon, putting the Stingrays in a 6-1 hole entering the fourth.
Marissa and Kelly began the inning with tough at-bats, each drawing walks on 3-2 pitches. Leah alertly scrambled to first on a dropped third strike to load the bases. Jackie's sharp ground ball off the pitcher's glove scored one run, and Alex's double to left scored two more. A walk and a wild pitch led to another, pulling the Stingrays to within one. Following Kaylyn's perfect sacrifice bunt, Kelsey grounded to short, but the Magic first baseman could not maintain contact with the bag on the throw. Alex and Hailey raced home with the tying and winning runs on the play. Outstanding pitching by winning hurler Leah shut down the Magic and preserved the victory.
The Stingray win followed a narrow 2-1 loss to the Fairfax Firebirds in the first game of the doubleheader. Cristina's RBI single scored Marissa in the third, but the Stingray bats were quieted from there -- although Sarah picked up her first hit as a Stingray, and Stephanie contributed a double down the third base line. Stephanie was excellent in the pitcher's circle in a losing cause, registering a 5-inning complete game with two runs allowed and eight strikeouts.
Stingrays Solid at NSA Killer B Bash
The Stingrays kicked off the 2008 season in excellent fashion March 29-30, finishing with a 4-1 record and third place at NSA's "Killer Bs" Bash in scenic but chilly southern Maryland. Making their first appearance in the 14U division, the Stingrays swept through pool play before falling in the semifinal round.
The Stingrays began pool play on a cold and windy Saturday morning, cruising to a 10-1 win over the Southern Maryland Ospreys 12U team. Leah and Stephanie combined to allow just 4 hits while striking out 7. Hailey marked her Stingray debut with 2 hits and 3 RBI, while Stephanie and Alex knocked in 2 runs apiece and Kelly collected 3 of her tournament-high 6 hits. Cristina capped the game with a booming 4th-inning triple to left-center.
The rest of Saturday was close all the way. Game #2 saw the Stingrays rally in dramatic fashion from deficits of 4-0 and 8-4, to edge a heavy-hitting Northern Calvert 14U team by a final of 9-8. Stephanie's 2-out, 2-run third-inning double brought the Stingrays to within 8-6 entering the 4th inning. Clutch pitching by Leah held Northern Calvert, and the Stingrays rallied to win. With 2 outs and 1 on, a clutch bunt single by Marissa, followed by a Kelly single, set up Leah's 2-run game-tying hit. Cristina then drove Kelly home with the game-winner just as time expired.
Game #3 was a tight, tense affair, as the Stingrays again rallied late to post a 3-2 win over Takoma Fire in a game that went the full 7 innings. Stephanie pitched her first-ever 7-inning complete game, allowing 2 runs and 5 hits, striking out 4 while walking only 2. Trailing 2-1 in the 5th, Alex's line single to left scored Hailey and capped a 2-run rally, putting the Stingrays ahead 3-2. The defense took over from there. Kaylyn's catch of a deep drive to center ended the 6th inning and preserved the lead. And Kelly ended the Fire's final threat in the 7th, throwing out 2 consecutive runners attempting to steal third.
Sunday morning, the Stingrays completed their four-game sweep of pool play by downing the Southern Maryland Ospreys 14U by a score of 5-2. Kelsey was the game's MVP, going 3 for 3 and driving in 3 runs. Stephanie and Leah combined to allow only 6 hits over 5 innings, while striking out 7.
Sunday afternoon's semifinal game matched the Stingrays once again against Northern Calvert, and this time it was Northern Calvert's turn. Leah's clutch 2-out, 2-run single in the second keyed a 3-run inning to keep the Stingrays close early, but tired pitching and defense did the Stingrays in, as Northern Calvert exploded in the 2nd inning and advanced with a 15-3 win.
Still, it was a fun weekend and a great start to the 2008 season. Congratulations, Stingrays, on a fine 2008 debut.
Spring Practice Locations
Beginning March 31 through April 10, regular Monday and Wednesday practices move to Annandale Community Park. Starting April 14 and continuing through the remainder of the spring, practices will be at Wakefield Park #1.
HEADLINES
June 15, 2008: STINGRAYS GO 3-2, WIN CONSOLATION BRACKET IN ELDERSBURG, MD: A slow Saturday start placed the Stingrays in the consolation bracket at the Freedom USSSA Qualifier Tournament in Eldersburg, MD. But the Stingrays recovered, winning the consolation bracket and their final three games.
June 5, 2008: STINGRAYS QUALIFY FOR PONY NATIONALS!! A strong 2-1 pool play performance at the NOVA Blaze Burnout in Winchester, VA, capped by an appearance in the quarterfinals, earns the Stingrays a berth in the PONY 14U National Championships. Congratulations, ladies!
April 28, 2008: STINGRAYS RALLY TO EDGE MAGIC, SPLIT FCGSL DOUBLEHEADER
Down 6-1, the Stingrays mounted a 6-run rally to edge the Mt. Vernon Magic, 7-6, to split their FCGSL doubleheader. Click here for details.
March 31, 2008: STINGRAYS SOLID AT KILLER B BASH
The Stingrays began the 2008 season with a 4-1, 3rd place performance at the NSA "Killer Bs" Bash in Lexington Park, MD. Click here for details.
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