THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 1996 TAG: 9606050551
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESTERFIELD LENGTH: 47 lines
It became obvious early that the winner of Tuesday's Group AAA quarterfinal softball game between Bayside and Manchester would need some sort of miracle.
In the bottom of the ninth, with dark clouds looming, the Lancers got what they needed to earn a 1-0 victory over the Marlins to advance to host Thursday's semifinal against Atlee - a 2-1 winner over Princess Anne.
The fans packing the stands at Manchester were wondering if either team would ever come up with a winner, as both teams were playing strong defense and getting outstanding pitching.
In the last half of the ninth, it finally happened.
Lancers pitcher Natasha Johnson had struck out the side and teammate Tiffany Martin had opened with a blooper just inside the rightfield line that skirted to the fence, allowing the sophomore designated hitter to reach second.
Alison Weeks then sacrificed Martin to third.
Senior outfielder Erin Lewis then finished it when she looped a hit into short right-centerfield that Marlins centerfielder Jen Moricle made a diving effort to get.
``It's a game of bounces, isn't it?'' Bayside coach Conrad Parker said. ``They get a bounce for a double and another to win it.
``It's not like we didn't have our opportunities.''
Actually, both teams had great chances during regulation.
Bayside (21-3) got its best chance in the top of the eighth.
Leadoff hitter Dawn Bell reached when hit by a pitch and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Amber Stout. Bell went to third when Jennifer Moricle hit to Manchester third baseman Amy Campbell, who opted to throw to shortstop Ashley Powell to get Bell. But Powell botched the throw, putting Bayside runners on the corners and one out.
Tracey Berger then hit to third and Bell decided to try to score, but was just caught at home on Campbell's throw.
``I thought she tagged high,'' Bell said. ``But I had to try it or I would have just hated myself.''
Manchester (20-2) had its other quality opportunity in the bottom of the sixth when the Lancers started off with base hits by Martin and Weeks. But Weeks attempted to get to second on her hit to centerfield and Marlins catcher Berger nailed her on a throw to Bell after taking the throw in from Moricle.
Bell then threw out Martin attempting to score.
``They played some great defense,'' Johnson - who struck out 16 - said of Bayside. ``I knew it was going to be tough.'' by CNB