Gerry Megas, manager of the McLean Little League 9/10 Girls Softball All-Stars Team is sending daily dispatches of the team's progress in the state tournament. Here is his Thursday posting:
In a classic championship match-up of two very good teams playing at a very high level McLean was edged out today 2-1.
Jamie Wang pitched a great game against a strong-fast Mathews team striking out 7 batters and allowing only 2 hits. A few costly errors in the 1st inning gave Mathews their only runs of the game as they took a 2 - 0 lead in the top of the 1st.
McLean settled down and played excellent defense after that - making 10 solid put-outs including a clutch running outfield catch by Caroline French with a runner in scoring position to end the 4th inning.
Jamie Wang limited Mathews to only two base runners after the 2nd inning. Meanwhile McLean put runners on in every inning but excellent defensive plays by the Mathews SS and third baseman kept us off the board.
In the 3rd inning Gabi Norton singled in Kiera Dent to close the gap to 2 - 1 but we ended the inning with a bases loaded ground out.
In the 5th inning, singles by Gracen Govan, Amanda Moore and Gabi Norton loaded the bases with one out and with two out the Mathews first baseman made an excellent catch of a wild throw from the SS and barely tagged out Jordie Prather running to 1st after a well hit ball to the hole.
We did not threaten in the 6th and Mathews escaped with a well earned 2 - 1 win.
The manager and coaches of the McLean team were extremely proud of the effort and play of our team who not only showed great skill but also excellent spirit and sportsmanship. They played the game at a very high level and really rose to the occasion.
We'll get em next year!
Team members are Caroline Culp, Kiera Dent, Caroline French, Gracen Govan, Kate Haas, Kiley Mabus, Amanda Moore, Gabi Norton, Jordy Prather, Emilie Sanchez, Sarah Short, Anna Takis and Jamie Wang.
The manager is Gerry Megas and the coaches are Bill Goodman, Liz Milloy and Mike Chambers. The team moms are Lisa Haas and Rose Sanchez.
