Leopards bash Boonsboro on way to 1A West final

May 15, 2003|by CELESTE SHEPPARD/Staff Correspondent

BOONSBORO - The Smithsburg softball team continues to use its flair for the dramatic in the Class 1A West tournament.

Tuesday, the Leopards scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to come back and knock off South Hagerstown to advance. On Wednesday, Smithsburg didn't wait as long, but it found a new way to use the clutch.

Smithsburg unleashed an 11-hit attack, beginning with a two-out scoring rally in the third inning on the way to a 6-1 victory over Boonsboro in the region semifinals. Smithsburg hosts Beall in the region final on Friday at 4 p.m.

"The girls were pumped," Smithsburg coach Brian Getz said. "They came out ready to play."

Smithsburg broke through as Alyssa Reed got a two-out single in the third followed by a walk to Brittany Biser. Amy Miller and Candace Stanford unloaded back-to-back doubles to drive in three runs and the Leopards never looked back.

"It's big to score three runs with two outs," Getz said. "We came up with the clutch hits today."

Reed threw a four-hitter, striking out 10 and walking none.

"I knew it wasn't going to be easy to beat Boonsboro," Reed said. "But I just went out and had fun and pitched my game."

Getz uses an unconventional Knute Rockne method to motivate the Leopards, using a private written message to jolt their emotions. Wednesday, the emotions even got the best of Getz.

"I told them I wasn't ready for us to die yet, so let's go play," Getz said. "They came with it all today and showed real heart."

Miller went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Stanford added a two-run double. Reed and Julie Weaver went 2-for-3, including a double and two runs scored by Weaver.

The Warriors didn't give up without a fight, using the defense of third baseman Shannon Davis, who threw out five Smithsburg hitters at first.

Boonsboro's run came in the sixth when Kourtney Marshall singled and took second on an error before scoring on two wild pitches.

"They never gave up. They are a great group of girls," Boonsboro coach Steve Lemonakis said. "We just couldn't hit today. You have to give it to (Reed). She pitched a great game."

Reed's pitching helped to keep Smithsburg's defense in the game.

"'You gotta help your pitcher,' I told the girls on the way over to the game," Getz said. "And no matter what, it's gotta be fun."

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