What is the toughest district in the Northern Region? Which ace pitcher will rise to the occasion? What region newcomer will throw a wrench into the works? The Northern Region softball tournament starts Friday, and here are the storylines The Examiner is watching:
Teams preparing to settle in at Falls Church:
Westfield
Bulldogs coach Dean Ferington has repeatedly said he’ll take his team’s schedule over any in the Northern Region. Westfield (16-5) has played top-ranked O’Connell, beaten defending region champion Madison, and faced district rival Oakton three times.
Led by superhero pitcher/hitter Linda Pirro, the Bulldogs have had 10 one-run games, winning seven of them. The pressure of the tournament should be no problem.
Oakton
When you have the best pitcher, you’re always a favorite. With senior hurler Jesse McCarrick in the circle, the Cougars (14-5) have given up more than two runs just twice all season, and they’ve won by shutout eight times.
Offense is the bigger challenge, where Oakton has scored two runs or fewer nine times.
Look for McCarrick’s star to rise in low-scoring affairs.
Langley
The Saxons (19-4) aren’t as overconfident as they were when they reached the region semifinals last year, but they could be just as talented. In the Liberty District Tournament, junior second baseman McKinley Cooper was 8-for-11 with 4 RBI, sophomore catcher Christina Bumpus was 6-for-11 with 5 RBI, and sophomore shortstop Kelsey Green was 7-for-13.
Teams making a Memorial Day visit:
Madison
Without graduated pitcher Lauren Frankiewicz, the Warhawks (14-6) have lurked just outside the Examiner top 10 for much of the season, the perfect spot from which they expect to pounce this weekend.
Hitting is Madison’s mantra this year — senior Ashli Breau has a whopping nine home runs, and sophomore catcher Morgan Davis has already set a new state record with 41 RBI.
West Springfield
The Spartans (17-4) have proven from the outset they can score, but defense is where they’ve improved of late. Junior catcher Devon Buckley and freshman Krista Pedersen each made key plays in Monday’s Patriot District final win.
Only one of the Spartans’ four losses has been by more than two runs.
Plans up in the air
Edison, Robinson
The most intriguing match-up of Friday’s first round also appears to be a regular regional tournament first-round contest. The Rams (14-9) travel to Franconia Road to face the Eagles (16-3), who led for five innings before losing to Robinson last season, and they defeated the Rams in the first round four years ago.
Robinson junior Dorian Shaw has the most imposing bat in the area, but Edison junior Lynsey Carter just might be the one pitcher who can get the Eagles into the quarterfinals.
West Potomac
Senior pitcher Becky Boucher has been the workhorse for the Wolverines (19-4), but a loss in the Patriot District final means a tough road through Madison and Westfield to get to the semifinals.
X Factors:
Stone Bridge and Loudoun Valley
The Bulldogs (21-1) were undefeated in Liberty District play entering Monday’s district final but got pummeled by Langley 12-2. The Vikings (12-5) lost by just one run to O’Connell and Oakton during the regular season.
One region newcomer is almost assured of advancing to the semifinals.
Attention Church goers
» The final three rounds of the Northern Region softball tournament will be held at Falls Church, including four quarterfinals on Memorial Day. Friday night’s first round games will be at the higher seeds.
