Spartans Softball Will Send 4 Seniors to Division I

By Matthew Stanmyre

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

When Broad Run Coach Ed Steele finished the last of several interviews Saturday just after beating Tunstall, 4-0, in the Virginia AA softball championship at Radford University, he began a satisfied walk back toward the Spartans’ dugout.

Before Steele could get there, a Tunstall player stopped him.

“We’ll see you back here next year,” the player said.

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Broad Run Wins Softball Championship

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As Broad Run beats Tunstall, winning the Virginia AA Softball Championship, Broad Run's pitcher, Caitlyn Delehaba, hugs Head Coach Ed Steele. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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At the top of the second inning, Broad Run's Anna Blessing slides into third base, hitting Tunstall's Nicole Barbour's glove to knock the ball loose. Blessing is safe at third. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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In the seventh inning, Broad Run's Karla Powell makes a big stretch, catching the ball and keeping her toe on the bag as Tunstall's Sarah Smith runs to first and is called safe. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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In the first inning Broad Run's Ashley Kramer comes in hard to home plate. She scores but makes contact with Tunstall's catcher Emily Atkinson. A gauze pad was used to stop the blood. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's pitcher, Caitlyn Delahaba, during her Virginia Group AA Championship game against Tunstall. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Karla Powell runs into home slips past Tunstall's Emily Atkinson just as the just before the ball hits the catchers glove. Powell is safe at home. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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During the first inning, Broad Run's Karla Powell runs into home slips past Tunstall's Emily Atkinson, just before the ball hits the catchers glove. Karla is safe at home. She jumps up after her slide to home and runs past Broad Run's dugout getting high-fives from her teammates. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run defeats Tunstall to win the Girls' Virginia State AA Softball Champion. The team has just been presented their first place trophy and lift it up during the awards ceremony. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Steele replied: “I don’t know about that. You’ll probably be here, but I’m not so sure we will.”

Once the euphoria from Broad Run’s remarkable two-year run begins to taper off, Steele will start the process of trying to replace four of the best players ever to don the Spartans’ maroon and gold. Pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba, first baseman Karla Powell, second baseman Michelle Clohan and shortstop Ashley Kramer — all of whom have signed with NCAA Division I teams — are four-year starters who helped Broad Run (28-0) finish the season No. 1 in The Post’s softball poll for the second season in a row.

“This team, without a doubt, is the best team I’ve ever seen,” said Steele, who completed his 17th season as coach at Broad Run. “I’ve had good pitchers, good hitters, good catchers, but I’ve never had all of them at the same time.”

Broad Run became only the second team in Virginia High School League history to complete consecutive unbeaten seasons. The Spartans have won 57 games in a row and have compiled an 83-1 record the past three years.

After spending the last few seasons beating up on its Dulles District competition, Broad Run will certainly be a marked team next year without its quartet of stellar players. But the Spartans will still boast plenty of talent. The team returns four starters, of all whom have experienced two deep postseason runs.

Leading the way is catcher Haley Johnson, an all-district selection, and outfielder Judy Bettz, who will move to the pitcher’s circle. Bettz has committed to Division I Wagner College, where she is expected to pitch. Also back is budding star Anna Blessing in center field and third baseman Reagan Doiron.

The numbers show how dominant Broad Run was this past season in two sports.

“Anybody who’s going to come play softball at Broad Run is going to expect to win all the time,” Delahaba said. “But it takes a lot more than just wanting, so they’re going to have to work hard.”

The work ethic has been instilled in the team’s younger players, who have watched Delahaba and company work year-round on improving their skills.

“It’s almost like a determination kind of thing,” Kramer said. “If you really want it, you have to set your mind to it and go chase your dreams. It’s really about working hard and teamwork, and that’s what we’ve learned at Broad Run.”

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks