Photos: Martha Hutzell

Words: Giana Han

On April 30, all the Allied Softball teams from around the county gathered at Meadowbrook to finish their season together in games filled with fun and sportsmanship.

The complex was split into four courts with at least three teams on each court.  One team would bat, one would field, and the other would sit out, and then they would rotate.

Centennial played with River Hill and Marriotts Ridge, and started out in the field with River Hill up to bat.

Karen Vanisko and Michael Havlik had an amazing inning in the field, hooking up for two easy outs at first.  Mike McCarthy was catching for Vanisko, who pitched.  At the conclusion of the top of the first inning, the Eagles were able to hold River Hill to one run, scored by Maria Brown.

The Eagles then stepped up to bat.  Lead-off batter, Lauren Davila started off with a single.  Following her single with another, Jonathon Hanks’ hit put two runners on with no outs.  Ian Dvornicky had another single, which batted in Davila.  A double from Vanisko prepared the way for McCarthy’s two RBI single.

The middle of the first ended with a score of 1-3-0, but Marriotts Ridge was ready to turn the score more to their favor.  Two singles were scored immediately, putting Sam Running and Danya Costa on base.  Zach McKay was thrown out at first, but he batted in a run.  Following McKay was Hansi Bode who also hit a single to drive in a run.  Katie Heady had the final hit of the inning, making it to first before the next batter was thrown out for the third out.

Each team continued to exhibit outstanding play throughout the game.  Every player on the Marriotts Ridge team had at least one hit.  Many of them, including Running and Heady, had RBIs as well, and excellent plays in the outfield.

River Hill’s Marcus Warren dominated the field from third base, throwing many runners out at first.  In the third inning, Brown and Warren both hit singles, paving the way for Nick Brown.  He came up to bat and on the first pitch hit the only home run in the game, driving in three runs.  Mia Dubin and Megan Gilbert, among others, had great hits that put runners in scoring position.

Every Eagle made it at least to first during the game. Dominic Rybal, Hanks, and Davila were several players who had amazing RBIs.  McCarthy and Orkun Unal caught extremely well for the pitchers, and Davila showed amazing speed while chasing down balls in the outfield.

“I liked playing on the bases,” said Clark, who did excellent in both the outfield and in the batter’s box.

At the end of the day, there were bittersweet feelings running through everyone.  They had enjoyed a fun time among friends, but it was their last game of the year.

“[The game] was really good!” exclaimed Davila.  “We did really well. I’m a little upset because it’s my last year.”

Davila and Vanisko both played their last games, but the rest of the team will be able to return next year for more fun.