SoCo's Magical Run Comes To An End

South County’s (17-8) thrilling season came to an emotional end Monday evening at Robinson High School in the 2011 Virginia AAA Northern Region semifinals.

Fueled by pitcher Jamie Bell’s six strikeout, perfect game performance, the McLean Highlanders defeated Patriot District champion South County 4-0.

“We gave them a great five innings. They just happened to come back in the sixth and score those four clutch runs,” said senior centerfielder Julia Kastner post-game.

“No one really believed that we could do it except for us. We came out here and showed McLean and everyone that this wasn’t an easy game for them. “

For five innings Monday evening, it looked as if South County’s magical postseason run would carry over into Friday’s Virginia AAA Northern Region final.  Heading into the six inning, freshman Rebecca Martin pitched a scoreless game, and was three outs away from adding another scoreless inning to the stat book.

An unfortunate series of events ensued, which allowed McLean to score the four sixth-inning runs needed to ensure victory, and ultimately secure their spot in Friday’s final against Westfield.

With one out in the sixth inning, and both teams scoreless, Martin walked McLean’s Tina Anwyll. On a slide while attempting to steal second base, Anwyll’s left cleat smashed into the hand of South County shortstop Whitney Burks. The injury, which South County head coach Gary Dillow described as a “cut to the hand," forced play to be suspended briefly while Burks had her hand taped.

When play resumed, McLean proceeded to score four runs off of Martin, who was pulled from the game after the fourth run. Dillow called upon pitcher Kyra Ketch to secure the final two McLean outs, which she did.

Down 4-0 with only one inning remaining, South County’s final attempt at a comeback was thwarted when Whitney Burks flew out to Anwyll for the final out of the game.

The loss to McLean caps the end of an electrifying season in which many of South County's expectations were exceeded. After the departure of numerous players from last year’s team to graduation, many expected the Stallions to have a pedestrian season. Defying the odds, South County surprised many.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way the season turned out. If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that we would win 17 games and make the regional semifinals and win districts, I would have called you a liar,” said South County head coach Gary Dillow.

“There’s no way that I would have imagined that.”

Dillow gave effusive praise to his team's seniors, who he credits as being instrumental in the success his team enjoyed this season.

 “Our leaders, our seniors, really just helped bring the young kids along, and showed them how to play varsity softball,” Dillow said. 

For those seniors, such as Julia Kastner, tonight’s loss conculdes the end of a remarkable and memorable high school career.

“I’ll miss everything. The team itself, all the coaches, the practices, and the great experiences,” said Kastner.

Despite the loss, Dillow remains pleased with the way his first year as head coach ended.

“I’m just very happy with the way everything went. I’m sorry it’s over, but I’m very proud of how it went,” said Dillow.