The metaphors for the first day of spring training are endless — rebirth, awakening, renewal. This year, for Quince Orchard pitcher Rebecca Einstein, opening day seemed like the beginning of the end.
Coming down awkwardly on the side of her foot, Einstein tore ligaments and saw her senior year flash before her eyes.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. In each of her three previous seasons, QO had taken incremental steps from a winless 2003 all the way to contender status. How could the Cougars — with little softball tradition — compete without their best player?
The question was answered early in the year as QO showed surprising resilience. Then, when Einstein healed quicker than expected, she was a welcome addition, not of a desperately needed savior.
Saturday when QO handed No. 6 Sherwood its first loss, 2-0, behind the one-hit pitching of Einstein, it was clear the Cougars were back on their charted course.
“It was difficult losing Rebecca right at the start of camp,” said coach Ken Reading. “But this team has come a long way. We’ve got a lot of good players. It’s a program now.”
QO (10-4) has achieved one of its objectives, earning a share of the Montgomery County 4A West division title. What the Cougars really want, however, is to go to the state tournament. QO’s only appearance in the state final four came 14 years ago.
“Division, then state, that’s been our goal all year,” said Einstein. “We know we’re capable. If there was any doubt, we took care of that by beating Sherwood.”
Einstein did her part against Sherwood, but her one-hitter came with only four strikeouts. It was a team effort. Senior Kelly Burnett made two over-the-shoulder catches in centerfield and senior left fielder Kelly Phillips hauled in a hard liner to left.
Both also had hits along with junior shortstop Sandra Starnes as the Warriors rallied for two runs with two out in the fourth inning against Sherwood lefty ace, Dana Ward.
QO has emerged thanks in part to a summer program started by Reading and his predecessor.
“It’s given the girls an opportunity they never had before and they’ve been willing do the offseason work,” said Reading. “With the success, we’ve gotten athletes from other sports involved. That’s helped a lot.”
Heating up
» QO will not meet Sherwood at the region level. The Warriors play in the 4A North Region.
» In 4A West Region, QO will have to contend with Wootton, Damascus, and Gaithersburg. All three have beaten the Cougars.
