Softball: First-Year Woodgrove Clinches State Tournament Spot

Allie Reid held Goochland scoreless over the last five innings for the win.
(photo courtesy Carl Lukat/Loudoun Times-Mirror)

By Carl Lukat
Loudoun Times-Mirror Sports Editor
Special to VivaLoudoun

Purcellville (June 3, 2011) - Woodgrove High School softball coach Joe Spicer knew his young team was feeling the pressure early in a Region II semifinal game against Goochland June 2 that would advance the winner to the AA state tournament as region finalist, while ending the losing team's season.

So when junior Amanda Rathjen raced home from third base on a pitch in the dirt to bring the Wolverines even at 1-1 in home half of the third inning, Spicer looked into the dugout from his third base coaching box and jokingly said 'You can breathe now.'

His team responded, adding solo runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings while junior pitcher Allie Reid held the visiting Bulldogs scoreless over the last five innings.

"We came out flat and really struggled with some mechanical things," Spicer said. "The kids were a little panicked for a minute there. Once we got the run to tie it up, I thought they refocused and were okay after that."

The result was a 4-1 victory that advances the first-year Wolverines (22-4) into the Region II championship game and secures their spot in next week's Group AA state tournament.