Woodbridge softball pleased with trip to regional tournament
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By LISA DAVIES
For the News & Messenger
Published: May 22, 2008
“Oh we have to do this,” Kersey realized. “We’ve never got this far. Girls, go out there, you get a medal or something.”
Although the young coach and her players were disappointed by a 3-1 loss to Forest Park, the Vikings’ hard work earned them a trip to the Northwest Regional tournament.
“I’m really hard on myself and my kids, but I think you have to be if you expect to improve. I have to step back to try to find the positives. Obviously there’s a good bit there, especially in the big scheme of things.”
The Vikings (11-12) got off to a good start against Forest Park pitcher Melissa Carter, when Col-leen Williamson singled to lead off the second inning. The senior scored Woodbridge’s lone run on a triple down the right field line off the bat of Mary Claire Pedagno.
Carter retired the next three batters to leave Pedagno standing on third base and leave the Vi-kings frustrated.
In the fourth inning, Williamson again led off with a double and moved to third when Pedagno dropped a bloop hit into left center. Williamson was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice, and Pedagno was again left stranded.
Even though the Vikings failed to capitalize on four Bruin errors, and left at least one runner stranded in every inning, Kersey admitted that her team simply didn’t collect enough hits to win.
“For some reason, our girls do not hit [Carter] well. I don’t mean to take away from her pitching, but that’s been the pattern with us versus Forest Park this season.”
Viking pitcher Williamson also stifled the Bruin offense, but they collected a string of meaning-ful hits. In the fourth inning, Melissa Carter led off with a walk and advanced on Chelsea Pa-procki’s single. After failing to lay down a bunt, Abby Ellis drove Carter in with a two-strike single to centerfield.
Williamson induced two easy pop flys to almost escape a jam, but junior Anna Lyons hit a ball up the middle that shortstop Melissa Martinez could only knock down.
“I have got to hit this,” the second baseman remembered thinking. “It’s gonna get through eve-rybody. We’ve got to win.”
Paprocki doubled in an insurance run in the fifth inning, but the one big inning was all the Bru-ins needed.
The team will get the opportunity for more big innings in the regional tournament. The Bruins (14-7) are grateful they get to host Loudoun Valley, a first-year Cedar Run team they know nothing about. Forest Park’s game is at 2 p.m. on Monday, while Woodbridge plays in the nightcap.
For the weekend, the Bruins will revel in getting their hands on a district trophy.
“What this thing?” Carter said, hoisting the Bruins’ prize. “This is awesome. This is the third year in a row we’ve been here [the Cardinal District tournament finals], and we finally did it.”
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Posted by ( baller4 ) on May 25, 2008 at 7:06 am
hokie, cancel your subscription and go cry somewhere else!
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Posted by ( ddvhokie@comcast.net ) on May 24, 2008 at 12:29 pm
For the last 17 years I have been a faithful supporter of the Potomac News-always defending this newspaper, when alot of my friends say they are biased to certain teams! I learned 1st hand what they were talking about after this important game! Not a headline saying anything about FP-only about WB! This FP Team should be properely recognized-this is their 1st Victory in the School’s History! That our coach, Jay Carter has taken this team 3 years in a row and we finally win the big one, no mention that FP beat WB 4 games this season! All of these facts should have been properly noted-no article, no photographers, no nothing! I am going to think twice about renewing my subscription, I want a paper that will report all of the games-not just the chosen few! When Forest Park wins in the Regionals, who will the article be about?
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Posted by ( ddvhokie@comcast.net ) on May 24, 2008 at 12:08 pm
How about FP wins first District title, instead of Woodbridge pleased with regional tournament? One would think that would be the headline, since the article should be more about the winners. Jay Carter took over the team three years ago and took them to the title game three times. Not one word about FP’s four victories over Woodbridge this year. Quite a biased article. Let’s give credit where credit is do!
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Posted by ( baller4 ) on May 23, 2008 at 9:37 pm
What am I missing. The Article is written about both teams. Wasn’t forest park supposed to win the cardnial district? I think the paper paid respect to the underdog Congrats Forest Park for winning the district. I’m sure you’ll continue to play on
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Posted by ( Superstar15 ) on May 23, 2008 at 1:04 pm
WOW. This is a pretty pathetic article. For the first time in Forest Park history the girls softball team won district, and the article is ALL about Woodbridge. I think the girls should have received ALOT more credit, concidering they did a wonderful job against Woodbridge and all season. GREAT JOB FOREST PARK BRUINS!!!
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Posted by ( Superstar15 ) on May 23, 2008 at 12:55 pm
This is a pretty pathetic article. For the first time in Forest Park history the Bruins softball team won disticts, and the story is about WOODBRIDGE?? Forest Park should have received ALOT more credit!! GREAT JOB FOREST PARK BRUINS!!
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Posted by ( summer ) on May 23, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Forest Park should have received a little more about the great job they did! There were two teams that played and the article was about Woodbridge. First time for Forest Park to have that Title! Great job ladies!
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Posted by ( truballa ) on May 23, 2008 at 11:27 am
I completly agree rival57 where is the respect that forstpark deserves for such a great victory especially since it was their first such championship for softball in the history of the school. The writers need to understand that there is two sides to a story and that you should cover BOTH sides of it!
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Posted by ( Rival57 ) on May 23, 2008 at 8:43 am
Forest Park wins the game and yet the whole article is about Woodbridge. And, Foresst Park’s thrilling win over Gar-Field the night before was ignored by your paper. Are you all Woodbridge grads?
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