Softball opens season with scintillating victory

March 22, BLAZER FIELD—

Blair's promising softball team started out the season on the right foot, beating the Blake Bengals 13-0 at home. The game ended after just five innings due to the mercy rule, after Blair went up by 10 runs. Judging by the offensive production and strong defensive effort, the Blazers look poised to accomplish great things this season.

The Blazers, who had an astounding record of 16-1 last season, return in 2007 as a favorite to win their division and make a deep playoff run. Last year, after a superb start, the Blazers cooled off, and lost early in the playoffs. If their first game is any indication, Blair could again be the team to beat by the time the postseason rolls around.

Senior co-captain Annie Denenberg opened the game pitching well, yielding few base runners. After a scoreless first inning the Blazers got on the board with two runs in the second inning. Senior Diane Chase ripped a double and junior Katie Scott, running for Denenberg, was first to hit home. Chase scored the second run when a Bengal player didn't realize Chase was running and wasn't sure where to throw the ball.

By the third inning, the Blazers had found their groove and put three more runs across the plate. Senior Liz Scroggs slammed a double that enabled senior co-captain Michelle Linford, unable to play the field due to injury, but running for catcher Claire Lieberman, to scoot home with Scott right behind her. Scroggs made it home herself when junior Hilary Bragg hit a single, bringing the score to 5-0.

The Bengals finally had some base writers in the fourth inning, but couldn't push home any runs. The flood gates opened in the fourth inning as Blair brought in 8 more runs. The inning was highlighted when senior co-captain Anna Szapiro hit a two-run triple sending Linford and senior Juliet Garlow home. Soon after, with the bases full, senior Dani McClay walloped a triple, clearing the bases and bringing Scroggs, Chase and Scott home. Right before the end of the inning, senior co-captain Allison Rubin hit a double, scoring McClay, pushing the score to a near-embarrassing 13-0 win.

With the bleachers full for their first game of the season, the Blazers dominated and gave viewers a glimpse at what looks to be a very promising season.

Coach Louis Hoelman was especially proud of the girls' performance. "We're a veteran team," he stated, "but I was worried until the game because we weren't playing well in practices and scrimmages."

"Today they came out and played well," said Hoelman. "It was a total team win, which always makes the coach happy; everyone contributed."

Szapiro was also one of many happy with her team's performance. "It's really great to start a season like this," she said. "It was a really great team effort. People really stepped it up."

Blair's next game is Monday, March 26 at 3:30 at home against Churchill