Hammond coach Rich Pond knows his team is in the middle of a special season. And it could get a whole lot better.
The Howard County rising power goes into today?s county title game against Glenelg at 17-1. The Bears then can turn their attention to the school?s first state title as the top seed in the Class 2A South region.
Hammond received a first-round bye before getting the winner of Central and Atholton Monday in the quarterfinals.
“We?re shooting for a state title,” Pond said. “There girls have never been there before, and we really think we have as good a chance as anyone.”
Pond?s confidence is largely due to his faith in sophomore pitcher Stephanie Speirman, who broke her own county record by striking out 321 batters following Monday?s 17-strikeout performance in a 2-1 win over Long Reach.
4A
Chesapeake-AA is looking to get back to the state finals after losing to C. Milton Wright in the 2006 final. The Cougars are the top seed in the East region and could see a potential region final rematch against second-seeded Broadneck, which plays them Thursday in the Anne Arundel County championship game. Other teams of interest in bracket are C. Milton Wright and Dulaney, the third and second seeds, respectively in the North region.
3A
Centennial may have gotten left out of the Howard County title game, but made up for that with a No. 2 seed in the East region. However, 2006 finalist Severna Park and former state champion Northeast will give Centennial a stern test in that region. In the North region, Western, Franklin, Towson and Catonsville represent the top four seeds.
2A
Hammond is not the only area school with championship aspirations in this bracket as Eastern Tech, Loch Raven, Milford Mill and Hereford are the top four seeds in the North region. Also, Glenelg is the fourth seed in the South while Francis Scott Key is second in the West.
1A
Western Tech has the pitching to fair well as the No. 2 seed in the North region. Digital Harbor and Marriotts Ridge are the No. 2 and No. 4 seeds respectively in the South region.
