Lady Spartans Look For Perfection Again In 2008
ASHBURN, VA - Last year's most dominant team was clearly the Lady Spartans softball squad from Broad Run High School. Their record 29-0 season that ended in the Group AA state championship will go down as one of the greatest ever in Loudoun County sports history. Broad Run finished 6th in the United States according to several national polls, and pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba was named the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year. It was the second state championship ring for head coach Ed Steele since taking over the program. With every starter returning and several promising younger players set to become household names this spring, the Spartans are expected to dominate the state again, but as Steele told Gameday recently, last year's success won't necessarily carry over to 2008.
"History is what you read in a book and has absolutely no bearing on the outcome of any game this season," said Steele. "We have to play better then we did last year to achieve our goals this year, because every team will bring their A game when they play us."
Loudoun County softball historians would be quick to point out that no team has repeated as state champions since Park View achieved the feat in 1989 and 1990. The Patriots fell short of winning two in a row in 2002 and 2003. The Lady Spartans may just be the team that can pull off the feat. While another state title is surely the goal, one can't help but fantasize about how this Spartan team could fare against the nation's best teams. Broad Run is currently ranked 5th in the United States by several polls. That has more than a few people around the Broad Run program excited about chasing a national championship, including Delahaba.
"A national title is probably one of the farthest things from the team's mind, being that we have many other goals to reach prior to that one," said Delahaba. "However, being ranked in the nation is difficult to do, let alone being first, but I know that if we were given the opportunity, we would be able to compete with the best teams out there."
Delahaba spent the off-season working on improving her game, but also spent some time deciding on where she wanted to attend school. The right-hander will pitch for Villanova starting in 2009, and she expressed some relief that the college recruiting process was over.
"The number one reason that Villanova was on my list of schools was because I knew it was somewhere that I was guaranteed to get a great education. When I was finally able to take my official visit there, I immediately fell in love with the whole atmosphere of the school. The classes, the people, the coaches and the players were all exactly what I was looking for," said Delahaba.
Clearly, the best pitcher in the state of Virginia again this spring will reside in Ashburn. Delahaba intimidated and dominated every opponent she faced last year on her way to a 28-0 record as a starter, including a shutout in the state championship game. This year is different though, this is her senior year, and that means something to the Spartans' emotional leader.
"We are ready and willing to take on every challenge that is presented to us, and we are excited to show the younger players what being a part of Broad Run softball is all about," Delahaba said. "I believe that because of the experience we have, we are going to be able to have even more fun this year while we continue to work hard and achieve our goals."
Joining Delahaba in the spotlight this spring will be several talented skill players such as first basemen Karla Powell. Powell signed with Wisconsin this summer and will play for the Badgers in 2009. She is fresh off her second consecutive All-Region selection, and played a major role in Broad Run's championship run in 2007. Like her teammates, Powell is looking for more in 2008.
"I believe that this is the most talented softball team that Broad Run has ever had," said Powell. "I absolutely believe that anything short of 29-0 and another state championship would be a disappointment."
The Spartans are loaded with senior leadership and experience at every position. Shortstop Ashley Kramer returns with fellow senior second basemen Michelle Clohan to give Broad Run one of the best infield tandems in the state. Kramer signed with Longwood and Clohan is headed to JMU to play for the Dukes. Reagan Doiron returns at third base for her junior season and should provide the Spartans with power again at the plate. Catcher Haley Johnson returns behind the plate for her senior season and will once again be a steady contributor in the lineup. Her knowledge of Delahaba's pitches should make it very difficult again for opposing hitters this spring.
Senior Judy Betz may be the best pitcher nobody has seen in the Dulles District considering Delahaba throws most games, but her value to the team cannot be understated. Betz will once again play right field and provide the Spartans with depth on the mound and a big stick at the plate. The star of the state semi finals last year was Kaitlyn Tiplady, who returns for her senior season in the outfield along with Betz. Tiplady's clutch hitting was a key in Broad Run's success last spring.
"Our seniors are all outstanding players and lead by example," said Steele. "They keep up the pace in practice, motivating everyone to work harder. Individually, they have all had a turn at being the hero. With this team, motivation is not a problem. Every player knows how hard it is to do what we did last year, but at the same time, their attitude is that we can do even better."
Steele had a smile from ear to ear last June when Broad Run capped off their magical season with the state championship, and that smile hasn't faded. That could be in part because of the talented youngsters he has coming up through the ranks in his program. Sophomore Anna Blessing scored in the state championship game and became a threat on the base paths as just a freshman. Look for Blessing to get more time this spring in a variety of ways along with fellow teammate Jenn Sororka.
Overall, the Spartans are loaded and may be even better this spring than last, which is a scary thought for every team set to face Broad Run this season. The Spartans have won an amazing 55 of their last 56 games, but will face stiffer tests this spring from Dulles District opponents Park View, Briar Woods, and Loudoun County. Powhattan, Tunstall, and New Kent should all figure into the post-season title race once again, but clearly, Broad Run is the favorite to repeat as Group AA state champions this spring.
