Oakton faced historically tough crosstown district rival, Centreville, for their third and final home game this week.  The Cougars had not defeated the Wildcats in at least 4 years until tonight.

The Lady Cougars held a very tight defense, allowing no hits until the 6^th inning.  With three Wildcat singles in a row, bases were loaded with two remaining outs.  Third baseman Kelsea Sinnett fielded the first half of a 5-2-3 double play to catcher Mandy Krage, whose throw beat the runner to first. 

The Cougars’ first hit of the game was in the 6^th inning:  a drag hit single by Right fielder Mary Kate Mehegan.  Center fielder Emily Corridon followed with a bunt to get on base, and a sacrifice bunt by short stop Emily Krisanda advanced the runners to 2^nd and 3^rd.  Catcher Mandy Krage reached on error, and plated Mehegan to put the Cougars on the score board.  First baseman Haley French’s single line drive to center scored Corridon, and Oakton led 2-0 entering the final inning.

In the top of the 7^th, the Wildcats fought hard to stay in the game.  Their first batter reached base on error, and quickly advanced to 2^nd on a passed ball.  Their second batter singled on a bunt and a run was scored due to Cougar errors.  The following batter grounded to center for a single RBI tying the score at 2-2.  Their third and final run was scored on a passed ball, putting Centreville in the lead, 2-3.  The inning ended with a very deep fly to center, caught by Corridon, sending her backwards into the fence (unharmed and retaining the ball).

The Cougars had ground to cover in the bottom of the 7^th to regain the lead.  Second baseman Becky Cerva doubled to deep center to start the inning.  Designated player Abby Mills reached on a walk, and Mehegan singled to score Cerva.  Jory Yates subbed for Mills.  Corridon reached on a walk to load the bases.  Pitcher Allison Davis smashed the ball along the 3^rd baseline to double, plating Jory Yates, the winning run.

Other defensive highlights:  Cerva-Krisanda-French's double play ended the first inning.  Krage’s throw across the diamond ended the stolen base attempt of Wildcat Courtney Burke in the 4^th.

The precise and accurate Wildcat fielding held the Cougars to 6 hits.  4 reached on walks, and there were no Cougar strike outs.  Way to swing those bats ladies!    

Pitcher Allison Davis saw 30 batters in 7 innings.  Davis struck out 7 and allowed only 5 hits.

Weather permitting, the Cougars will face South County and Hayfield in the Tournament at Hayfield on Saturday, April 16.  Continuing with the tournament, they face Thomas Jefferson High School on Monday, April 18.  Following spring break, they travel to face district rival Westfield on Tuesday 4/26 at 6:30.  See you there!