A regular-season sweep at the hands of Seton Keough didn't deter the confidence of Emily Weiman or her Archbishop Spalding teammates heading into Friday's Interscholatic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship.
The Cavaliers were able to block out those losses, which seemed even further away when the championship finally got underway after three rainouts in five days. Weiman dominated from the start, throwing seven innings and not allowing an earned run. She also homered as the fourth-ranked Cavaliers defended their title with a 4-1 victory over the second-ranked Gators at McDonogh.
Spalding has now won five titles in seven years. Weiman, who will pitch at North Carolina State next season, said she could not have picked a better way to end her high school career.
"We kept telling ourselves all year that this is when it really mattered," said Weiman, the team's lone senior. "The two losses were a bad taste for us. But we just worked and came though. I think I would have been sad if we didn't come out of here with another win."
Weiman allowed five hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Seton Keough's Robi Zimmerman was also effective, throwing a complete game with seven hits, seven strikeouts, one walk and a hit batter. Zimmerman also gave the Gators a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the fourth.
Weiman tied the game in the fifth with a home run to left field. The Cavaliers (11-4) then gave Weiman all the cushion she needed with a three-run seventh.
Amy Pierson singled to open the inning and Weiman was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Kelsie Traylor then lined a triple to right field for a 3-1 lead. Melanie Gunning followed with an RBI single.
"It was awesome," Traylor said. "I just wasn't swinging hard enough in the beginning. Emily is an awesome team captain and keeps us all together. We couldn't have asked for a better person on our team. She's a great friend. We didn't have any pressure on us."
Seton Keough (14-2) tried to rally in the seventh, as Hannah Tavik and Julia Draper had back-to-back singles with one out. However, Weiman buckled down and did not allow another base runner.
"I thought they came out here and looked really good," Gators coach Jackie Boswell said. "They continued to get better and they got us today. The top of our lineup took to the fourth inning to start hitting and you can't do that against a good team in a championship game."
Spalding coach Kristin Dulay said the biggest challenge this week was keeping her team focused with so much uncertainty because of the recent spate of rain. Spalding responded by playing one of its most complete games this season.
"We had this goal in mind all year," Dulay said. "I'm so happy for the girls. As the season went on, our confidence just grew. I think this was the best game Emily threw all year."
IAAM A Conference Championship
Spalding 000 010 3 - 4 7 1
Seton Keough 000 100 0 - 1 5 1
No. 4 Spalding 4, No. 2 Seton Keough 1
Weiman and Traylor; Zimmerman and Kouneski. 2B: SK-Draper 3B: SP- Traylor. HR: SP-Weiman.