Courtney, Raiders Bully Spartans in 2-1 Upset
ASHBURN, VA - In a baseball match-up that, on paper going into the contest, appeared to be a David vs. Goliath meeting between 2 teams headed in different directions, those knowledgeable of Dulles District baseball history knew this game would be a tightly knit game.
The host Broad Run Spartans began the night as the top dog in the District, with a 8-1 overall record. The Loudoun County Raiders were still searching for their first victory on the season, coming in at 0-9. But as eluded, all records and "should be's" could be thrown out for this game.
Loudoun County head coach, Tom Lucero, trotted out senior Conor Courtney on the hill, and he proved to be the lynch pin for the visitors, as the Raiders pulled off the upset, 2-1. Courtney went the distance, and pitched a gem, limiting Spartan baserunners. This fete, in itself, is noteworthy, as Broad Run is touted as having the top rated offense in the District, and on a 6 game win streak, while County has given up an average of 11 runs per game going into the night. However, it was Courtney's bat, in the 5th inning, that proved to be the undoing for Broad Run.
With the score tied at 1 apiece in the top of the inning, Courtney blasted a solo homerun over the left field fence, to give his team the 2-1 lead, and that is all he needed, as he bore down on the mound, and shut down any chance of a Spartan come-back, and the Radiers left Ashburn having registered the biggest upset of the season, and sending shockwaves throught the Dulles, putting the standings into a spin!
Next up for Loudoun County (1-9, 1-2) is a home game, Friday night, against the Briar Woods Falcons. Broad Run (2-8, 3-1) hopes to rebound this Friday, as they host yet another rival, the Park View Patriots at Spartan Field. Both games are scheduled for a 6:00 start time. The Gameday Radio Network will be in Ashburn for the latter contest, and will begin the live broadcast at 5:30 pm.
