Last week, George Marshall’s softball team downed Fairfax, while the Statesmen Nine dropped another close game. Meanwhile, George Mason’s girls soccer team routed Strasburg, Mason’s All-Decade football team was announced, and McLean’s boys tennis team lost.
GEORGE C. MARSHALL HIGH
The softball team continued to look sharp on April 27 as it decisively defeated Fairfax High, 7-1. The team is now 11-4 on the season.
Senior Christine Grilliot, who has committed to play at Mary Washington next year, pitched the entire game for Marshall, collecting six strikeouts while giving up six hits and two walks. Grilliot contributed a triple and an RBI at the plate.
Olivia Ellis added a triple for Marshall, freshman Mina Dunn smacked a double, and senior Lauren Sanata went two-for-four at the plate with two RBIs.
“Right now, we’re in third place in our district,” coach Laura Campbell told the News-Press. “We’re behind McLean and Madison. We need to keep hitting well and stay focused and we’ll give ’em a run for their money.”
The team has five regular season games left. Its next home game is May 7, against South Lakes High.
In other Lady Statesmen news, the team’s catcher, Michelle Tilson, has committed to playing for St. John’s University, a Division I school, next year.
After scoring two runs in the seventh, a Marshall rally keyed by sophomore Kent Blackstone fell short, and the baseball team lost to Fairfax 5-4 on April 27. The loss was the fifth game decided by one or two runs which the 3-11 Statesmen have dropped this year.
“Those are definitely games that could have gone either way, had we had some timely hitting. That’s one of the issues we’ve had this year: leaving a lot of guys on base. If we don’t get production when guys are in scoring position, we aren’t going to win,” said Marshall coach Joe McDonald.
Fairfax pitcher Joseph Vanderplas “went through our order without much difficulty, just throwing fastballs,” the coach continued.
“We seemed to have difficulty hitting his fastball, and that’s been our sticking point this season: scoring runs. We managed to get a few runs late in the game, but up until that point, he had his way with us.”
The Fairfax Rebels improved to 7-6-1 with the win.
GEORGE MASON HIGH
The girls soccer team is seeking to defend its 2008 and 2009 district, regional and state titles and is off to a 4-3-1 start to the year.
The team routed Strasburg High 8-0 on April 20.
Sophomore Leah Roth had one goal and three assists for the Mustangs in the game, including the game-winner in the third minute of play, while junior Hannah Walker, senior Karen Hamill and junior Elle Silverman scored two goals apiece, and senior Nicole Peyton had a goal and an assist.
“I thought that we played well at times during the game, and I am happy with the result, but I still see room for improvement and a need to become more consistent as we continue our district games,” coach Jennifer Parsons told the News-Press.
“We had some disappointing results last week (a loss to Clarke in double overtime, and a tie against Madison), so we are certainly looking for a whole team effort as we move forward through the season. I was happy with the team effort, especially with so many different players contributing to the outcome. We are loaded with talent; we just need to continue to improve on gelling.
“We are looking forward to defending our titles again this season,” Parsons continued. “I know we have the ability to be successful.”
Mustang coaches have put together an all-decade football team for the first sliver of the new millennium.
The team’s center is Peter Corbino, and Matt Williams, Ben Zorn, Austin Lucas, Jack Vessey and Danny Johnson round out the offensive line. Zorn currently plays at San Jose State University and Lucas plays at the University of San Diego.
Cody Reynolds, who now plays at Furman University, is the team’s tight end, and GMHS hall-of-famer Ben Griffin was selected as the wideout.
The team’s running backs are Stephen Williams, Charlie Mann, Ben Taylor, and Travis Greene, who is currently playing at Elon University. Its QB is Eric Blush, and its punter is Peter Dittmar, who started as a tight end and as a safety.
Ed Hickey, Alex Miller and Chris Epling make up the all-decade team’s defensive line, while Joey Cohe, Matt Williams, Paul Stroup, Misael Benitez and Ryan Larcamp comprise its linebacker corps. Larcamp is currently playing at Salisbury University.
Ben Griffin, Travis Greene, Edie Huber and Matt Bond were named the decade’s best defensive backs. Bond was a three-year starter at QB and played college ball at Carleton College.
Travis Greene was named to the team for the third time as its kick returner, and Joel Schwengel was picked as its punter.
MCLEAN HIGH
The McLean High boys tennis team lost 6-3 at home to Madison on April 23.
“I would have preferred a victory,” said Highlander head coach Aavo Tomkov. “But it was a highly competitive, fun match. It was really close.”
McLean victories were secured by Louis Gruber, Charlie Roco, and Jason Lerner.
“Louis was clearly our best player who won today,” Tomkov said. “He hit the ball aggressively.”
Tomkov added that Roco has made great strides recently, and was also impressed by the play of Lerner.
“He played high-percentage tennis and went for the right shots at the right time,” he said. “He played smart, and that’s what it takes to win.”
The Highlanders (8-5) wrap up regular season play at Stone Bridge May 3.
