Broad Run Softball Wins 3rd in a Row

by Bucky Dent

Sunday, June 7, 2009

RADFORD, Va. — Broad Run senior Judy Betz faced a difficult task going into this season. It had nothing to do with replacing Caitlyn Delahaba, one of the best pitchers in Virginia High School League history.

Six months ago, Betz didn't know if she would even be able to pitch this spring.

"I didn't even think I would be full strength by April," she said.

Betz and her surgically repaired right arm were strong enough Sunday to toss 175 pitches over 11 pressure-packed innings in the Virginia AA championship game, outdueling Tunstall's Brittany Arnn for a 2-1 win.

Jenn Soroka's two-out RBI double chased Maggie Betz home from first as the Spartans (22-3) earned their third straight state crown and fourth of the decade. Soroka also lofted a tying sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth.

But Soroka acknowledged the importance of Betz's role - and not just because she allowed only one run over 18 innings on the weekend.

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Broad Run Softball Wins Third Straight State Championship

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Broad Run pitcher Judy Betz follows through during the Sunday's Virginia AA state title game against Tunstall. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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In 4th inning, Broad Run's Jenn Soroka takes a throw at first base but Tunstall's Megan Dillion is in safely. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Megan Waterman is unable to hold on and Tunstall's Heather Francisco is safe at second during a third-inning play. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Anna Blessing steals third and is safe as Tunstall's Leslie Hudson tries to apply the tag. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Reagan Doiron tries to come in to score in the fourth inning but is about to be tagged out by Tunstall's Megan Dillion. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Tunstall's Megan Dillion applies the tag to Broad Run's Reagan Doiron at home plate during the fourth inning. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Reagan Doiron looks back for the call after Tunstall's Megan Dillion tagged her out at home during the fourth inning. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Angela Rush slides safely into second base as Orange's Heather Jenkins gets pulled off the bag to receive the throw during Saturday's Virginia AA state semifinal game. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Haley Johnson scores the first run of Saturday's game in the sixth inning while Orange catcher Amanda Pritchett waits for the throw home. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run celebrates its 2-0 win over Orange in Saturday's state semifinal. The Spartans advanced to face Tunstall, whom they beat in the 2008 final. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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"She's not only our pitcher, but she's our core," Soroka said of Betz. "She holds everything together. She picks everyone up when they are down. She's just great and I'm going to miss her so much."

After her December surgery, which freed scar tissue from a nerve, Betz's arm sports a 10-inch scar. She scattered eight hits Sunday and fanned 13.

Spartans Coach Ed Steele has come to expect that kind of excellence from Betz, who's headed for Wagner College in New York.

"We've said all year that it's her turn to shine," he said. "What can I tell you? She's a magnificent pitcher and a great kid."

Betz got help from an errorless defense which cut down the potential go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. When Taylor Dix tried to score from first on Heather Francisco's double to right-center field, center fielder Anna Blessing cut the ball off and unleashed a 180-foot, one-hop strike to catcher Haley Johnson, who tagged out Dix by several feet.

An inning later, Soroka jumped on a waist-high fastball and split the gap in left-center. The throw home veered about 20 feet up the third base line and Maggie Betz scored standing up to end a 2-hour, 29-minute thriller.

"It didn't dawn on me that the game was over," Soroka said, "until I saw everyone charge out of the dugout."

That included Judy Betz, who had as much reason to celebrate as anyone in a Broad Run uniform.

"To come here and win a state championship," she said, "means everything fell into place."

Notes: Tunstall Coach Roger Cook worked his last game after a 26-year career. Cook finished 488-84 and guided his squad to three runner-up finishes. ... Broad Run started the decade with a 4-0, 11-inning title-game win over Virginia High.

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