Blazers blast Barons

MAR 27, BLAZER STADIUM --

The Blair softball team that came out onto the field today was light-years ahead of the sloppy, uncommunicative girls that eked out a win over Wootton High School on Tuesday. This team was focused and it paid off as they beat Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School 10-0 after just six innings.

On Tuesday night, the Blazers struggled defensively, committing six errors. Tonight was a different story, as the Blazers not only had no errors but also made more difficult plays for outs than they did against Wootton. An example of the Blazers' rapid improvement came in the sixth inning when third baseman Jen Sindall, who had three errors on Tuesday, stopped a sharp grounder and threw a bullet to first baseman Sophie Strike to end the top of the inning.

The Blazers also ran the bases extremely well, racking up more steals than they did last night and never getting caught stealing. They also had some very nice bunts, especially from leadoff batter and shortstop Amy Ernst and from co-captain/right fielder Carly Vieira.

Pitcher and co-captain Emma Simson also had a better night tonight than she had on Tuesday, throwing fewer balls and making a few good plays in the field.

Coach Louis Hoelman said after the game, "It's hard for me to find anything to criticize [the Blazers] for tonight." According to Hoelman, Blair achieved the two goals it had set after Tuesday's performance: to decrease errors and to jump out early.

They certainly did both of those things, the latter coming as Blair sprinted their way to a 5-0 lead after the second inning. B-CC was never able to come back, and Blair continued to consistently rack up points. When the lead got to 10-0 after Vieira bunted Ernst home in the bottom of the sixth, the umpire ended the game due to the mercy rule.

"We did everything well tonight," said Hoelman. "If we play like this, if we run like this, we can beat the top competition in the county."