Nordan comes through for Brentsville softball
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By Robert Daski
Published: May 22, 2008
“It helps me keep loose between innings so my arm doesn’t get tight,” Nordan said. “Then when I go back out there, I don’t throw bad pitches.”
The plan paid off on Thursday. Nordan tossed a complete game, allowing four hits and recording eight strikeouts in Brentsville’s 9-0 Northwestern District tournament championship game victory over Millbrook.
“It’s really exciting,” Nordan said.
Celebrating the team title took on extra meaning when the sophomore learned she was named Northwestern District co-player of the year.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Nordan said. “It’s nice to have that title.”
Nordan knew she would play a pivotal role in Brentsville’s attempt to win a district tournament.
Though she earned the victory in Wednesday’s semifinal win over James Wood, her pitches did not consistently reach the strike zone. Some even reached the backstop.
Tigers coach Amy Beard and catcher Kaitlyn Barbour advised Nordan prior to Thursday’s game to keep her pitches down and that Millbrook would bring a formidable lineup to the table.
“She did an excellent job,” Beard said. “She was incredibly focused.”
Even in pressure situations, Nordan refused to wilt.
With runners on base in the second, third and fourth innings, three pitches she made to Mill-brook hitters resulted in inning-ending double plays.
“She was doing a great job keeping the ball low and forcing them to hit a lot of ground balls,” Beard said. “The defense stuck behind her.”
Brentsville’s offense helped as well. The Tigers (19-1) scored three first inning runs and three second inning runs. They added more in the fourth on Barbour’s two-run home run and one in the fifth when Abby Carpenter crossed the plate.
Even Nordan contributed to the offensive display. When not throwing on her own, she was at the plate and delivered two triples and scored two runs.
After the Tigers were set down in the sixth, Nordan returned for the seventh, getting two fly outs and a ground ball to give the Tigers something to celebrate.
“This is awesome,” Beard said.
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