Blair Loses State Softball Semifinal

Senior Megan Hyson struck out 16 and came within one pitch of a perfect game as Chesapeake (AA) defeated Montgomery Blair 8-0 Tuesday night at the Bachman Softball Park in Glen Burnie.

Hyson also supported herself offensively, scoring twice, one of which was a first inning home run that gave the Cougars the only run they would need in this MPSSAA State Semifinal matchup.

Batting third with two outs in the first inning, Hyson slashed a 1-0 liner over the head of Blazers’ right fielder Molly Nicholson, and then used an evasive slide to put Chesapeake (23-0) in front 1-0.

Taking the mound for the first time already ahead, Hyson was able to pitch aggressively, striking out two of the first three batters she faced.

“Anytime you get runs, it gives you more confidence,” Hyson said.

For the upset-minded Blazers (18-4), it wasn’t the start for which they were hoping.

“Our goal was to get on them early and get pressure to let our ‘small-ball’ offense get going,” Montgomery Blair Head Coach Louis Hoelman said.

Chesapeake struck again in the third inning against Blazers’ starter Eve Brown, as Jacqueline Richards singled to center to plate Kimberly Fernandez with the Cougars’ second run.

The game was broken open in the fifth inning, as three triples by Chesapeake helped to drive Brown from the mound and move the Cougars’ advantage to 8-0.

Hoelman had decided to start the slower throwing but accurate Brown over Samantha Schweickhardt, hoping that Chesapeake would find it more difficult to adjust to Brown’s offspeed deliveries.

“We tried to throw our junk-ball pitcher, but they were patient,” Hoelman said. “I felt our best chance to win was to give them something they didn’t see often.”

For the Cougars, Hyson seemed to get stronger as the game went on, fanning eleven out of twelve during a four-inning stretch.

”We haven’t faced a pitcher of her caliber this year,” Hoelman said.

Many Blazers batters tried to bunt their way to first base, but Chesapeake, emboldened by Hyson’s dominance, was able to keep its infield close and then played flawless defense as the first twenty Montgomery Blair batters were retired. The Cougars seemed prepared for the Blazers’ “small-ball” tactics.

“We worked on our defense for two and a half hours to be ready for that,” Chesapeake Head Coach Don Ellenberger said.

“We just didn’t get the play that could really turn it around for us,” Hoelman said. “We hung in there for a while, but never got over being tight to start the game. I truly believe we thought we were going to come here and win.”

After taking the 21st Blazers’ batter to a 3-2 count, Hyson delivered a fourth ball to end her run at a perfect game. If she was disappointed, her game wasn’t affected, as ended the game with her 16th strikeout.

“A no-hitter is good enough,” Hyson said.

 Georgetown University-bound Hyson is no stranger to pitching success, with three no-hitters and 13 shutouts so far this year, according to Ellenberger.

For Chesapeake, there were a number of offensive stars, including Gabrielle Couture and Olivia Ravadge, who both tripled and had two RBIs, and Richards who went 3-4 with an RBI. 

On Saturday, the Cougars will play Urbana (20-0), which defeated Bowie 12-0 in its semifinal game.