Softball: Broad Run Plays "Small Ball" to Advance to State Semifinals

By Jason S. (stands for STATES!) Rufner 
Special to Viva Loudoun via Loudoun Times-Mirror

Ashburn (June 6, 2012) - A clutch two-out hit put Broad Run High School in front, and a spectacular double play kept them there as the Spartans won their Virginia AAA state softball quarterfinal game 2-1 against Hickory June 5 in Ashburn.

Madison Small, the Spartans' sole starting freshman, delivered an RBI double for the go-ahead run in the sixth. In the seventh, third baseman Amanda Pugh protected the narrow margin, diving to snag a bunt and whirling to nip a Hickory runner retreating to second.

One out later, the Spartans were winners in their first ever Group AAA state tournament contest. Broad Run was a perennial AA power until moving up to AAA this school year.



Spartan coach Ed Steele, in his 21st season at the helm, gave a big laugh when it was put to him that the Group AAA level wasn't so challenging.

"We have to scrape and scratch and claw," Steele said. "That's a very talented team. I didn't see a weak spot in their lineup. You could tell they were very softball-savvy."

The first ever meeting between the Northwest Region champion Spartans (18-5) and the Eastern Region runner-up Hawks (21-5) was evenly matched throughout.

After allowing one first-inning run apiece, Broad Run pitcher Ashley Ferrara and her counterpart, Hickory's Krista Lewis, settled into a classic duel that led to a 1-1 tie into the bottom of the sixth.

That's when Small came up big.

McKall Miller began the deciding rally with a twisting two-hopper that eluded Hickory second baseman Tess Higgins. Dani Cook sacrificed Miller to second.

Small, a right-handed hitter, then slugged a sharp liner into left-center field, sending Miller sprinting home and sending the Broad Run fans to their feet.

"I just knew I had to get the run in, because we don't want any more 11-inning games," said Small, referring to the Spartans' marathon with Osbourn Park in the regional final three days prior.

"It was a full count, so I was just looking for either my pitch or a walk."

Hickory, from Chesapeake and the Southeastern District, was not done. Higgins led off the seventh with a double that came within a foot of sailing over the centerfield fence, putting the potential tying run two bases away with no outs.

Then it was Pugh's turn to be huge.

Hickory's Maggie Miller, a lefty swinger, squared to bunt, lofting it softly into the air. Pugh -- normally the Spartans' regular left fielder -- charged, dove, caught it, then came up firing to second where centerfielder Frankie Beller was alertly covering.

"Wow," Steele said. "We knew they would bunt so we had third base coming up a little bit. She trapped it against her, and Frankie's a pretty smart player so she figured she better get to second. She just barely got there but it all worked out."

The Spartan faithful roared. They roared again when the game ended moments later on a groundout to shortstop Cook.

Broad Run's quest to add a Group AAA state softball championship to the school's collection of four Group AA ones -- all under Steele -- will continue in the semifinal round Friday at 4 p.m. at Westfield High School versus Cosby.

Jason S. Rufner (we still think the "S" is a Secret ...) is a freelance writer that is well known in Loudoun athletic circles.

State coverage is sponsored by Gayle King of Century 21 Redwood Realty