Sabrina Ryals' one-out single in the bottom of eighth scored Becky Mooty with the game-winning run as Archbishop Spalding defeated Pallotti, 3-2, in the championship game of the Maryland Independent Schools tournament yesterday.

The Cavaliers (25-8) have claimed the championship in each of the tournament's first two years. Spalding also beat Pallotti in last season's title game, 8-0.

Ryals, who had two hits, was voted the tournament's Most Valuable Player, batting .700 (7-for-10), with two doubles and three RBIs. She also pitched Spalding to victory over Holy Cross in a quarterfinal game May 18.

"This was one of the most emotional games for me. I was strained at the end," said Spalding coach Linda Taylor. "I'm real proud of the team. They really battled and everyone contributed."

Pallotti went ahead 2-1 in the top of sixth, as Jessica Saunders walked the bases loaded, and, after two strikeouts, was touched for an RBI-single by Jody Reedy.

The Cavaliers tied the game, 2-2, in the sixth on Jackie Emmart's pinch-hit single to center.

Chapelgate second in Silver

Largo's Queen Anne School scored four runs in the second inning and defeated Chapelgate, 4-2, to win the Maryland State Private School Softball Tournament Silver Division championship at Riverdale Baptist yesterday.

Queen Anne used two Chapelgate errors, three walks and a single to score all its runs.

"Except for that one inning, it was a pitcher-dominated game on both sides," said Chapelgate coach Steve Kunkel, whose team finished 14-8.

Chapelgate pitcher Hope Meisinger struck out 13 and walked five.

Pub Date: 5/28/99