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Broad Run softball returns to championship game
RADFORD - The Spartans of Broad Run dominated the Spartans of Salem, 8-0, in the semifinals of the Group AA state tournament June 6 at Radford University.
Under a baking sun, Caitlyn Delahaba mowed down the opposition, earning 19 of the 21 outs via the strikeout, 18 of them swinging, 11 of them in the final four innings. She permitted only one baserunner, a first-inning looping single to left by Katie Stauffer.
Broad Run collected five first-inning runs, more than Delahaba has allowed all season. An unusually emphatic Karla Powell drove in two on two hits, banging her hands and releasing a gratified yell while standing on second base after clubbing a long RBI double in the first.
Reagan Doiron and Anna Blessing each knocked in a pair of runs. Ashley Kramer added insurance with a steal of home in the fourth on the front end of a double-steal.
Having his team in a positive rhythm is important to Broad Run's veteran head coach Ed Steele.
"You could tell that [they were in a rhythm] in the first inning," said Steele, referring to his team's most productive offensive frame in which five hitters reached base.
The victory sets up Saturday's rematch with Region IV champion Tunstall at 1 p.m. It was versus the Trojans in last year's state semifinals that the Spartans won a nine-inning 1-0 struggle. Tunstall features tough left-handed hurler Brittany Arnn, who battled against Delahaba in that narrow Broad Run victory.
"It's going to be a dogfight," predicted Steele on the eve of what is potentially his third career state softball title. "We're both going to be ready to play."
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