It took some late-inning offense, but Howard kept its undefeated county record in tact on Saturday at home against Atholton.
The Lions, trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the fourth inning, went on to score at least once in each of its next three at bats on its way to a comeback, 6-3 victory over the Raiders.
The decisive runs for Howard (5-0 county, 7-1 overall) came in the bottom of the sixth, with the team scoring three times to break open a tie game at the time. On the day, Berit Batterton (home run, 2 RBI) and Eryn Keenan (2 RBI) did the heavy lifting for the Lions.
Katie Unkle (double) and Rachel Oliver provided the other RBI.
In the circle, Jamie Bahrijczuk earned the complete-game win. She struck out four and walked one.
On the other side, Atholton (1-3, 1-5) freshman pitcher Patty Drumheller had a strong game on both sides. She kept her team in the game on the bump, holding the Lions scoreless for the first three innings. Then, at the plate, she went 2-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Sophomore catcher Allison Orlosky led the team with a 2-3 day, including two doubles, a run and an RBI. Other standouts were junior third baseman Miranda Thompson (1-2, double, SAC fly) and junior outfielder Caitlyn Burmester (2-3).
Howard has a tough task ahead at the beginning of this coming week, facing River Hill, Long Reach and Mt. Hebron in back-to-back-to-back days starting on Monday.
Howard 6, Atholton 3
123 456 7 R-H-E
A 101 001 0 3-9-1
Ho 000 213 x 6-10-1
Other scores:
Glenelg 10, Reservoir 1
The Gladiators scored three times in the top of the first and never looked back, rolling to the nine-run victory.
Sharon Mielke led the offense with a 2-5 day that included two doubles and 3 RBI, while Toni Pritchard also shined with a 2-5 effort (double, 2 runs and 1 RBI). Both Mielke and Pritchard doubled in that opening inning.
Anna Turvin recorded the win at pitcher for Glenelg (3-2 county, 4-3 overall), striking out two and allowing just the one run.
On the other side, Anna Bennett had a huge 4-4 day, including a double, to pace the Reservoir (3-2, 4-4) offense. Sophia Sommerkamp (2-3) and Hunter Little (double, run) were other Gators' standouts.
123 456 7 R-H-E
G 310 020 4 10-12-1
Re 100 000 0 1-11-5