dsquires
06-07-2007, 09:16 PM
GROUP AA STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
WHERE: Radford University’s Dedmon Center Field
WHEN: Today and Saturday
TICKETS: $7
SCHEDULE: Today’s semifinals: Virginia High (23-4) vs. New Kent (23-3), 10 a.m.; Tunstall (22-4) vs. Broad Run (27-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: Championship, 10 a.m.
OUTLOOK: Runs will be hard to come by today because the state’s top pitchers are facing each other. New Kent features pitcher Becca Mills (23-3, 0.42 ERA, 207 strikeouts), while Virginia can go with either Cassie Campbell (16-3) or freshman Lonnie Johnston (7-1, given up one earned run this season). New Kent relies on shortstop Anush Mooradian (six home runs and 21 RBI), catcher Laura Bauer (.420 BA, 24 RBI) and second baseman Tyler Fleming (.402, eight stolen bases) for the bulk of its offense. Virginia’s batting order is led by Campbell (hits cleanup), centerfielder Tonya Stallard (two-time all-state selection who will run track at the U.S. Military Academy), freshman shortstop Fallon Thomas (first Virginia High player to hit over .400 since 1997) and senior catcher Heather Martinez. Tunstall has seven starters hitting over .300, but Broad Run junior Caitlyn Delahaba (given up six earned runs this season, struck out 308 batters) will be the toughest pitcher Tunstall has faced all season. Tunstall pitcher Brittany Arnn entered the state tournament with a 0.20 ERA. Broad Run, which is ranked No. 6 in USA Today’s "Super 25" national softball rankings and won the state championship in 2000, has outscored opponents 75-2 in seven games this postseason.
Norm Wood
WHERE: Radford University’s Dedmon Center Field
WHEN: Today and Saturday
TICKETS: $7
SCHEDULE: Today’s semifinals: Virginia High (23-4) vs. New Kent (23-3), 10 a.m.; Tunstall (22-4) vs. Broad Run (27-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: Championship, 10 a.m.
OUTLOOK: Runs will be hard to come by today because the state’s top pitchers are facing each other. New Kent features pitcher Becca Mills (23-3, 0.42 ERA, 207 strikeouts), while Virginia can go with either Cassie Campbell (16-3) or freshman Lonnie Johnston (7-1, given up one earned run this season). New Kent relies on shortstop Anush Mooradian (six home runs and 21 RBI), catcher Laura Bauer (.420 BA, 24 RBI) and second baseman Tyler Fleming (.402, eight stolen bases) for the bulk of its offense. Virginia’s batting order is led by Campbell (hits cleanup), centerfielder Tonya Stallard (two-time all-state selection who will run track at the U.S. Military Academy), freshman shortstop Fallon Thomas (first Virginia High player to hit over .400 since 1997) and senior catcher Heather Martinez. Tunstall has seven starters hitting over .300, but Broad Run junior Caitlyn Delahaba (given up six earned runs this season, struck out 308 batters) will be the toughest pitcher Tunstall has faced all season. Tunstall pitcher Brittany Arnn entered the state tournament with a 0.20 ERA. Broad Run, which is ranked No. 6 in USA Today’s "Super 25" national softball rankings and won the state championship in 2000, has outscored opponents 75-2 in seven games this postseason.
Norm Wood