Eagles stay strong in face of adversity
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By DAN CLENDANIEL
For the News & Messenger
Published: April 9, 2008
For the News & Messenger
If adversity builds character, then the Osbourn softball team can soon apply for sainthood.
Already reeling from the suspensions of four players for disciplinary reasons, the Eagles this week lost leading hitter Brittany Barlow for at least a month due to an emergency appendectomy.
Barlow, the team’s senior third baseman, was hitting well over .500 at the time of her surgery.
And, oh yes, former Eagle star Cristi Ecks of the University of South Florida is recovering following sur-gery to attach a defibrillator to monitor her heart. The Eagles played last night in honor of Ecks, who collapsed during a practice session at South Florida April 1 and nearly died.
“Cristi’s situation,” said Eagle coach Renee Leake, “puts things into perspective.”
The undermanned Eagles fought gamely, but with just four players in their regular positions and with JV call-ups manning key slots, Osbourn dropped a 7-3 decision to Cedar Run District newcomer Loudoun Valley.
Leake, usually the most positive of coaches, remained upbeat.
“I told them that I couldn’t fault their effort,” said Leake. “We had a couple of new kids that we had to throw out there. I’m really proud of the way they are working hard in practice. We still have high expectations for these kids.”
The good news is that the suspended players will be allowed to “return shortly,” according to Leake, and that Barlow may recover in time for the stretch run and district tournament.
Loudoun Valley, a former Group AA powerhouse, was coming off of a 3-2 loss to Osbourn Park and is still adjusting to their new district.
“This is the first time in which every game we play is important and it’s been a tough adjustment,” said Vi-kings coach Joe Spicer. “Every night we’re facing a quality team.”
The Vikings made this game less of a nail-biter by scoring five runs in the third inning to take command of the game.
Loudoun Valley (6-1, 2-1) broke out of a recent team hitting slump and banged out 14 hits against the Eagles.
“They outplayed us,” said Leake. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen 14 hits on the scoreboard for the other team. But at least 10 of their hits were solid hits.”
Osbourn responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third on Ashley Williams’ two-run single. But the Eagles also left the bases loaded in that inning against Viking starting pitcher Caroline Williams.
Williams and Ashley Boteler alternated on the mound for Osbourn. Williams and Boteler also each had two base hits to account for four of the Eagles’ six hits.
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