Manchester Valley senior Madison Grimm dominated opponents from the circle and in the batter's box while leading the Mavericks to their second straight Class 1A state championship.
For the second year in a row, Manchester Valley faced Sparrows Point for the 1A title at Maryland. For the second year in a row, Grimm led the Mavericks to an easy win.
"It makes it a little bit more comfortable playing on this field before," Grimm said afterward.
The championship capped a brilliant season for Grimm, who has signed to play at Hofstra next season. She went 18-2, striking out 210 batters and giving up only 14 earned runs for a 0.75 ERA over 130 innings. She allowed just one run during the 1A playoffs. Grimm finished the season with five no-hitters, including in the state championship game, and had six one-hitters. Grimm also batted .463, with 32 RBIs, nine doubles and one home run. She found a way to improve on a spectacular 2014, when she won 15 games, posted a 1.36 ERA and batted .369.
"Madison brought to the Manchester program the confidence and ability to win every game when stepping on the field ... that no one could beat the Mavericks," coach Mike Hernandez said of Grimm, who transferred from North Carroll before her junior year. "Domination. She brought a winning attitude and led the team to complete all goals and intentions."