A grand slam. An 11-2 blowout. And two 1-0 shutouts. Too bad none of those were for Maggie Walker.
Baseball: After an impressive (for Maggie Walker, at least) 9-11 season last year, the baseball team has lost five players, including star player Will Roberts, currently playing for the University of Virginia.
“It’s a rebuilding year,” co-captain Joey Surma (’09) said. “We’ve got a new coach, Meade Langhorn, who used to play for the Kansas City Royals, who’s a lot better than the previous coach. He’s actually making us do work.”
With five freshmen and three other new players on this year’s team, the season looks promising for the future. For now, they’re going to have to work at it, after a tough 14-4 loss to Hermitage to open their season.
The game started off on a sour note, with the pitcher walking the first batter, hitting the next two, and giving up a grand slam to the fourth. Probably due to nerves, eventually things settled down, and Maggie Walker outscored the opposition, excluding the first two innings. There’s still more to work on, though.
“We’re still looking for managers who like to bake, look reasonably attractive, and need community service,” Surma said.
Softball: A new assistant coach and two freshmen should bode well for the team this year. Opening the season off with an 11-2 loss, it doesn’t look too promising, but there’s not too much to worry about.
“All that we want is to be better than the baseball team,” co-captain Becca Diakun (’09) said.
Spectator Scott Clark (’09) had the following to say about the game: “The air was temperate, but the wind was biting and strewn with dirt and pieces of metal. The girls played hard, they were fierce with heart and unity. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to defeat the intimidating kinetic force that was Hermitage. But I was proud of the girls, for kicking aside their doubts and fears and just having fun with the game. I was proud to be a witness of that awesome phenomenon. I was proud to be one of their fans. I was proud to be a student of Maggie Walker.”
Boys’ Soccer: If there was one theme to last year’s season, it was close games. This year’s no different. A 1-0 loss to Monacan in the Prince George tournament, the boys’ team was able to keep the opposition out for most of the game.
“Our defense was organized, but we just couldn’t put one in,” Peter Slag (’09) explained. “They scored on a brilliant shot.”
With star keeper Dan Laws (’11) holding his own, this season should be another one filled with close games. One freshman starter on offense should help, but this year’s goal is to win a few games and get into the district tournament. Captains Max Schick (’09) and Marcel Rodgers (’09) lead the charge this season.
Girls’ Soccer: What’s the worst way to start off a season? A loss, yes. But what’s worse? To lose 1-0 to Manchester on a penalty kick. It’s how things started out for the girls’ soccer team.
“I think we did pretty well holding them off,” co-captain Kelly Diaz (’09) said. “We’re getting used to playing with each other. In general, I’m hoping we’re going to have a good season.”
Qualifying for regionals is the main goal this season, and it’s a genuine possibility with a few good freshmen coming on to the team, as well as captains Rachel Semus (’09), Amanda Watson (’09) and Diaz leading the way. They continue their season with a game on Monday against St. Gertrude, who is coached by ex-Boys’ soccer coach Dan Park.
Boys’ Tennis: The high point of the spring sports season, the tennis team beat Patrick Henry. Ahem, they massacred Patrick Henry. 8-1 the final tally, the boys’ went 6-0 in their singles matches, winning all six matches in straight sets, dropping only one game throughout. Freshman Ryan Murphy, playing in the six spot, chalked it up to a freshman mistake, winning his match 6-0, 6-1.
Losing no seniors from the top 6 last year, things look promising for the tennis team this year. Captains Michael Armstrong (’09), Will Weber (’09), and Ziyi Gao (’09) hope to make regionals and even states this season.
“Our opposition has withered away while we are filled with strong, new members,” Gao said.
Girls’ Tennis: The news for this year’s girls’ tennis team? It’s not that there’s a junior playing #1, but it’s who that junior is. Jocelyn Powelson (’10), in her first year of Maggie Walker tennis, is leading the Maggie Walker lineup, with Amanda Randall (’09), Andi Davis (’09), Emily Zhang (’11), Kelsey Miller (’12), and Kameron Adams (’09) playing two through six.
“We should have a really good season,” Kelsey Huffer (’09) said. “We have a lot of new people who play year-round, training not just during the tennis season. That’s really the most important thing they can do.”
Losing two top-six seniors, it looked like this was going to be a rebuilding season, but with new members, the team was able to overcome two close singles losses to beat Patrick Henry 5-4.
Outdoor Track:
Abbie Pettigrew (‘09) practices her hurdle skills during yesterday’s workout.
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