The Northern Region softball tournament begins tonight with eight first-round games. The field will be whittled to a Final Four following a quarterfinal quadruple-header at Falls Church on Monday. The semifinals are set for Wednesday and the championship is next Friday. Top two teams qualify for the Group AAA state tournament. Here is a preview of tonight’s action.
Herndon at South County
Tonight at 7
It says a lot about the depth of softball in Northern Virginia that South County hasn’t cracked the rankings despite a 20-3 record and a Patriot District championship. But even with just two seniors on the roster, Stallions have a solid chance to make their mark a year early. Herndon (14-7) fared well in the obscenely competitive Concorde District, including a 1-0 win over No. 9 Robinson.
Yorktown at Stone Bridge
Tonight at 7
Tough task for the Patriots (15-7), who travel to face defending Northern Region champion Stone Bridge (15-8). The Bulldogs, also the Group AAA state runner-up to Hanover last spring, finished first in the Liberty District during the regular season. Junior SS Briana Hanafin and C Lauren Wilson are two of many offensive stars for Yorktown.
Madison at Mount Vernon
Tonight at 7
Warhawks (18-4) are another team that at times was overshadowed in its own district. But Madison finished a close third in the Liberty District to No. 6 Langley and Stone Bridge and has beaten both the Saxons and No. 9 Robinson. Mount Vernon (16-6) was the regular-season champ in the National District, but struggled in a 10-1 loss to Loudoun Valley in the district final.
Hayfield at Centreville
Tonight at 7
Hayfield (11-11) will need offensive contributions from junior 1B Sarah Marino and junior C Kelsey Talbot, both first-team All-Patriot District picks, to outslug and upset No. 4 Centreville (17-4), which scored 14 runs combined in two Concorde District tournament wins last week. But Wildcats pitchers have combined for 12 shutouts and allowed four runs or more just four times.
Wakefield at Langley
Tonight at 7
Not much hope in this one for the Warriors, who were competitive in the National District this season. But Wakefield was smacked around twice by both Yorktown and Mount Vernon, and No. 6 Langley (20-3) is playing as well as any team in theNorthern Region after winning the Liberty District title last week. Junior 1B Kim McMasters has hit two home runs for Saxons in the postseason already and has five for the year.
Robinson at West Springfield
Tonight at 7
Two powerful offenses should light up the scoreboard. West Springfield (13-10), led by junior P/IF Jessica Thomas, has scored at least seven runs in a game 10 times and has won six of its last eight. No. 9 Robinson (17-6) has scored at least seven runs in a game eight times. Senior IF Taylor Cunningham had a grand slam and five RBI in district quarterfinal win over Fairfax last week.
West Potomac at Westfield
Tonight at 7
What could have turned into a rebuilding year for West Potomac after last year’s 19-5 season has instead been a pleasant surprise. The Wolverines (14-8) finished second in the Patriot District, losing to West Springfield in the semifinals last week. No. 8 Westfield (17-5), the Concorde District runner-up, must account for West Potomac senior C Jessie Hines, the Patriot District player of the year.
McLean at Loudoun Valley
Tonight at 5
Maybe it’s a good thing McLean (14-8) is playing one of the two softball powers in the Northern Region from Loudoun County. The Highlanders did well this spring against Liberty District rival Stone Bridge, beating the Bulldogs once and pushing them in 6-5 district semifinal loss. Loudoun Valley (20-3) played a Group AA schedule much of the year before winning the National District tournament.
