Blazers fall to Damascus

APR 25, BLAZER STADIUM-

Despite a valiant effort, Blair lost today to Damascus High School, 9-2, despite a substantial fan turnout given the night's weather. A steady rain fell throughout the evening and the game balls were constantly in cycle as each team's coaches dried them and passed them back onto the field.

The Blazers again struggled at the plate early in the game, with Blair's only early run coming from junior Marianne Epstein, who had reached on an error. Epstein collided with the Damascus catcher on the play and suffered a severe bruise to her knee. She was replaced in the game by senior Elizabeth "Inky" Inkellis.

The Blazers had several communication errors in the field but generally played solid defense. Senior co-captain and pitcher Emma Simson struggled late in her outing and failed to pitch a complete game for the first time this season. JV pitcher Ellie Blalock came in and pitched very well for the final two innings.

Co-captain and hard-hitting right fielder Carly Vieira returned today after leaving the field two nights ago with a sprained knee.

Damascus' pitcher, who plays with several Blazers on a summer-league team, threw smoke against the Blazers, who had nothing to answer her speed. "Batting is definitely something we need to work on, it's our biggest weakness right now." The team's hitting has been consistently good in pressure situations but has floundered early in games.

The match started off quickly enough. Neither team scored in the first two innings, and each scored one over the next two. However, in the fifth inning Damascus opened the floodgates, unleashing a string of power hits that built the lead to 5-1 in the fifth inning and to 8-1 in the sixth. Each team scored one run in the final inning.