You’d wrap it up if you could
You can’t wrap up a regional berth in a box and shiny paper, slap a sticky-bottom bow on it and leave it under the tree for some deserving kid to find.
That’s not how it works, no matter how many regional berths the Southern Valley District finagles. But, if you could do all that, nobody would blame you if you watched from the staircase as Brittnie Siron saw that wrapped-up Region III bid and smiled at her reaction.
Instead, after losing to R.E. Lee 2-0 while fighting off a rare May chill, Waynesboro’s senior pitcher (and the face of softball for four seasons) had to deal with the fact that Wednesday, no matter how tight we hold our eyes closed and wish with all our might, was her last fast-pitch softball game.
We’re not just talking high school career here, folks. We’re talking last fast-pitch softball game ever. That’s right. The dreaded “E” word that we all try to avoid putting after the “L” word. (L, of course, being “last.“)
With graduation looming, a full-time job this summer is in sights for Siron, a girl that spent every game of her four-year varsity career in the pitcher’s circle. And with that responsibility, summer league softball, she expects, will go out the window.
Four years without a regional berth, a berth that was so close on Wednesday she could sniff it. Only to watch as it wafted away into the cold May air thanks to a two-run sixth inning and the Little Giants’ inability to string together hits and, coach Jason Aleshire said, avoid questionable calls. (We have to agree with him on that one).
“It sucks,“ said Siron, who somehow managed to keep any tears at bay, choosing instead to wear a forced disappointed smile accented with the occasional roll of the eyes. “My senior year, it would have been nice to go to regionals.“
Siron wasn’t asking for a state title (though she wouldn’t have complained if she scored one. Who would?) all she wanted was a taste of Region III.
And, somehow, she managed to smile Wednesday. Somehow.
Let’s be honest here, the third Southern Valley regional berth is a one-and-done deal. Heck, Stuarts Draft is going to have a hard enough time winning a regional game (this year, folks. Next year, now that’s another story) and district champ Fort Defiance has a battle ahead of it if the Indians hope to get back to the Group AA tourney. (Once again, this year. Next year a whole other story).
R.E. Lee seemed resigned to that fact, with coach Jim Hartman only saying, “Hey, we’re there,“ and Kara Butler, who supplied the game-winning RBI, joining the refrain. (“We’re going.“)
This is not a knock of Southern Valley District softball. Like I said on the Valley Sports Reporters earlier this week, the SV is very top heavy. With the top being Fort Defiance all by its lonesome this season. Next year is going to be a whole new bag, baby. Fort Defiance loses one senior, albeit the kind of senior you don’t want to lose (Brittany Davidson) and Stuarts Draft is just as young with a top-notch JV program filled to the brim with former Babe Ruth players that went to a little something called the World Series a few years back.
And R.E. Lee, which played a game good enough to have fans Wednesday wondering aloud, “Where’s this team been all year,“ is young too. With a talented young and fast pitcher (Alisha Taylor, who picked up all five of the Lee Ladies wins this season), and a stout defense (important in softball) it can ride to challenge the top two in 2009.
Waynesboro has to find a replacement for Siron. Not an easy task, no doubt. But a challenging one in a district that, next year, will be ready for anything.
Hey, look what I found: Waynesboro running back (fullback, would-be-tackler carrier, whatever you want to call him) Steven Brown at the softball game.
“Bet you’re excited about football season,“ he said. Really? I have a pulse, how couldn’t I be excited about football? But how about you, Brown?
“You know it,“ he said.
Now, the important part. How are your grades Mr. I’m Gonna Be a Senior In 2009? Then he flashes the signature smile you can see through his facemask in a snow storm.
“I’m passing all my classes.“
Good on you, Steven. And good for the Little Giants.
We love quotes like these, you know, the ones that capture the essence of high school sports. Jeremy Hartman, the R.E. Lee girls basketball coach started the ball rolling back in 2007 with his gem. And Wednesday, with his team hammering Rockbridge 12-0 for the final SV District regional slot, Stuarts Draft baseball coach Josh Podgorski gives us this: “We turn a double play on their No. 3 guy, who’s been batting .500. I said ‘Guys, you just took the wind out of their sails, let’s take the spirit out of their hearts.‘ “
Absolutely. Phenomenal.
Personally, I would have said “rip” instead of “take.“ But that’s just me. I’m a jerk.
Hey look what I just found: A guy who just loves the game of soccer. Waynesboro’s Martin Mandujano, the SV District’s Player of the Year, on winning the district tournament. “I’m just so thankful to Jesus Christ for allowing me to play this game.“
Hey, I hope I’m wrong about Waynesboro soccer. Really? I do. But the SV’s reliance upon it’s former Valley-mates now in the Massanutten (let it go, folks. Let it go.) for competition may saddle this team’s chances in Region III. However, this team is very, very good. They play great soccer the way it should be played. When they pop eight goals in, it’s because opponents play back on defense, allowing the Little Giants to attack, attack and attack.
The Giants’ bread and butter are the close games. Real soccer games. We’re talking 2-0, 1-0, 3-2 matches. Not 9-2, 8-0 futbol follies. They’re good, anybody in the Southern Valley or Massanutten districts will tell you that. Now it’s time to see how they stack up against the rest of the region and state. They may stack up pretty well. If they don’t, blame the people who can’t let go of the past.
Uh-oh, somebody’s gonna be dishing out a good chunk of change for a graduation gift, after missing Leah Pagett’s clip-and-save game in the playoff with Luray on Monday by the looks of our comment board.
What a game! I only wish I could’ve been there to see my baby girl (Leah) and the rest of the Hornets play and to celebrate with the players, coaches and parents. I was on the phone with Leah’s mom and heard the hit and excitement that followed. All the Lady Hornets are very special to me, but one more than all. My daughter, Leah.
Great game girls, but we’re not finished yet. Continue kicking butt and taking names afterwards.
!!!GO WILSON LADY HORNETS!!!
Mr. Pagett, best get that checkbook ready, sir.
I was cleaning out my gutters the other night and look whose career I found. (OK, not local. So sue me.)
