CHANTILLY: 15 

Cougars Lose Tourney Game to Chantilly

In their second game of the season, the Oakton Cougars lost to the Chantilly Chargers by the score of 15 to 6.  The game was played at Hayfield Secondary School as the first game of a Saturday double header in the annual Hayfield Spring Tournament, and the Cougars were visiting team based on a coin toss.

With temperatures in the low 40s and a steady rain falling, Chantilly held the Cougars scoreless for the first three innings, keeping the Cougar batters off the bases on their first pass through the lineup.  Chantilly scored 14 runs on six hits and twice as many walks during the same stretch as the Cougar pitchers struggled under the cold, rainy playing conditions.

The Cougar bats awoke in the top of the fourth inning on their second pass through the lineup.  Left fielder Nicole Berube started things off with a one-out single up the middle.  Shortstop Caroline Brogan walked next, and then third baseman Cassie Brazinsky laid down a beautiful bunt single to load the bases.  After the second Cougar out, catcher Kelly Dunlap cleared the bases by hitting a 3-RBI triple to the right-center field gap. 

First baseman Marissa Sanzone then cracked a line drive to left field for an RBI double, which plated Dunlap.  Right fielder Rachel Lee kept the two-out rally going by hitting a single to the left side, moving Sanzone to third base as Lee advanced to second base on the throw.  Center fielder Linda Lyons came up next and hit a fly ball to left field, which was dropped by the Charger’s left fielder, which allowed Sanzone and Lee to score and left Lyons at second base.  Unfortunately, the next Cougar batter grounded out, ending the rally at six runs.

The Chargers scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning and then the tournament time limit ran out, making the final score 6-15 with the Chargers on top.