It happens all the time to Battlefield catcher Courtney Liddle. She shows so much poise behind the plate, handles her responsibilities so adeptly, that it is just assumed she is a senior. With an embarrassed smile, Liddle politely informers her questioners she is not quite ready for college yet. Then again, what sophomore is?
Liddle might as well be a veteran on a third-year program with just two seniors. She is a key reason Battlefield has made the leap from fledgling program to a Group AAA state title contender.
“I’ve never really thought that age mattered,” Liddle said. “It’s all about what qualities you can bring to a team. I’ve always had a leadership position on every softball team I’ve been on.”
Liddle has helped the fourth-ranked Bobcats to a 13-1 record. They are in first place in the Cedar Run District ahead of area powers Osbourn (14-2) and Stonewall Jackson. She is batting .610 withteam-highs in home runs (3) and RBI (20) entering last night’s game at home against Stonewall.
But most importantly, she has a good connection with both of Battlefield’s star pitchers — junior Megan Sutphin and sophomore Brittany Black. Battlefield coach Joe Schelzo trusts Liddle to call almost all of the pitches herself.
“I’ve been playing with Courtney so long we know what pitch we need to call in different situations,” said Black, who has been a battery mate with Liddle on Haymarket-area softball teams since they were eight years old. “Megan and I both have all the confidence in the world when she’s behind the plate.”
Sutphin and Black are the rarest of commodities — two aces on one staff. In a sport where a No. 1 pitcher can log as many as 150 innings in a season they split the workload evenly. Sutphin (9-1) has pitched 50 innings, allowing 33 hits with an ERA of .42. She has a devastating change-up and a nice drop curveball. Black (4-1), who started last night against Stonewall, had a .79 ERA in 44 innings. She is more of a power pitcher than Sutphin with a strong riseball that gives batters fits.
“I’m the type of athlete that likes to be in the game all the time. Softball is such a mental sport and calling pitches makes you do that,” Liddle said. “But it helps that I get to catch for two great pitchers, too.”
Young Cats
» If Battlefield is to reach the Group AAA state tournament it must get past its Manassas rivals. Osbourn was the state runner-up in 2005 and Stonewall Jackson, the defending Cedar Run District champ, won a state title in 2004.
» Bobcats pitcher Brittany Black was tied for second in RBI with teammate Kaitlyn Sileo (17) entering last night’s contest vs. Stonewall Jackson. She has also hit two home runs.
» Battlefield sophomore Jessica Anglin has 13 hits and a .371 batting average in 35 at-bats.
