It was a frustrating spring break for many local high school teams who were looking forward to getting in several area tournament games or practice time. But the rainy weather, for the most part, had the final say in what games got played.
The South County Secondary softball team, in a tournament at Hayfield Secondary, only played one of its scheduled five games over spring break week because of the rain.
"Our spring break tournament has been pretty much a wash out so far," said Stallions coach Gary Dillow.
The coach said his team’s rained out spring break games have been re-scheduled and will be played over the next couple of weeks. One of those make-ups took place Monday evening, April 25, an 11-0 loss to Oakton High at Hayfield. The other make-ups are scheduled for: this Saturday, April 30 versus host Hayfield at 9 a.m., followed by a game versus Jefferson at 11 a.m.,; and Saturday, May 7, at 1p.m., versus Marshall High, also to be played at Hayfield.
The only game South County got in over the actual spring break week was against Woodbridge High on Monday, April 18. The Stallions won that contest over the Vikings, 9-6.
This week, South County (6-4) was scheduled to play regularly scheduled Patriot District games at Lake Braddock (Wednesday, April 27) and home against Woodson, Friday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m.
The Stallions are 4-3 in district play thus far. Two of the setbacks versus district opponents were one-run losses — 8-7 at Woodson on April 1, and 5-4 to visiting West Potomac on April 15. South County led both games in the latter innings.
"Hopefully, we are learning how to handle those [close game] situations, and will do better as we get more experience," said Dillow. "When you start four-to-five freshman every game, some of those things are going to happen."
Dillow said his young team is taking shape as the regular season begins to wind down.
"I think we are getting better every game, and are going to be a very good team once the district playoffs arrive," said Dillow.
The Stallions top players so far have been senior center fielder Julia Kastner, senior second baseman Alex Brown, and freshmen shortstop Whitney Burks.
Kastner is hitting .667, with five home runs, four doubles, 18 runs scored and 15 RBI’s. Burks is hitting .563, with four triples, two doubles, 11 runs scored, and 13 RBI’s. And Brown is hitting .500, with one double and 12 runs scored.
Kastner and Brown are team co-captains.
"They have provided the needed leadership to make the first half of the season successful," said Dillow. "Overall, we are hitting really well, and the pitching and defense are coming around. We will see what the rest of the season brings."