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Highland's new pitcher shuts down Liberty, 3-0
Renee Leake has learned how to create a perfect circle.
She doesn't use tracing paper or draw it freehand.
The Highland School softball coach just calls on, not one, but two great pitchers in seniors Maire Shaughnessy and Ashleigh Williams.
The pair shared the pitcher's circle for a moment Friday before Leake’s Hawks faced off against Liberty in Bealeton, a game Highland won 3-0.
When the Hawks broke their pre-game huddle, Shaughnessy and Williams remained in the pitcher’s circle. Shaughnessy lingered inside its edge, watching while Williams loosened the dirt in front of the pitcher’s rubber with her cleat.
Both come highly decorated. Shaughnessy was 2008 Delaney Athletic Conference Player of the Year, hurled a perfect game and produced consecutive clutch wins in last year's state semifinal and title games .
A transfer from Osbourn High, Williams was a 2008 all-Cedar Run District first team selection and 2007 all-Northwest Region first team selection.
On this occasion, Shaughnessy was the one to leave the pitcher’s circle, although their roles could easily be reversed. Shaughnessy walked over to play third base, as Williams took full advantage of her chance to dominate.
“It’s just so nice to have two (great pitchers),” said Leake, Highland’s first-year coach. “Just being able to rotate them and keeping our opponents guessing as to who’s going to throw, because they’re so completely different.”
Williams followed Leake to Highland from Osbourn, where Leake created a state power. At Osbourn, Leake captured four Cedar Run District and Northwest Region titles and made five appearances in the Group AAA state tournament.
The wife of Highland athletic director Gary Leake, Renee Leake now guides a Highland program that rode Shaughnessy’s arm to Virginia Independent Schools state championships in 2007 and 2008. Shaughnessy will play for Fairleigh Dickinson (N.J.) University next season and Williams for Bloomfield (N.J.) College, but before they depart, the Hawks hope they will produce a third state title.
“I feel we’re going to go all the way,” Highland second baseman Morgan Stephens said. “I see a repeat of last year.”
Shaughnessy kicked off the season Thursday by striking out 14 in a complete-game 2-0 victory over Rappahannock. Similarly, Williams allowed just four hits while walking none and striking out four over seven innings against Liberty. She fell behind just three of 27 batters.
“She’s phenomenal,” Stephens said. “Ashleigh’s an extra relief off Maire’s shoulders. She helps the situation a lot.”
Liberty pitcher Christina Wingo was equally impressive over the first five innings. She allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven innings, but a couple of well-placed infield singles by Highland cost Wingo the game.
“She did quite well and she’s a sophomore,” Liberty coach Charlie Padgett said. “She’s working hard at what she likes to do. Not taking her abilities for granted.”
Stephens was responsible for pegging Wingo with the loss. She came to the plate after Weslie Bowers had led off the sixth inning with a bunt single and stolen base.
Stephens attempted a sacrifice bunt, but the ball rolled into no-man’s land between Wingo on the mound, first baseman Mandi Grove and second baseman Haley Foster. Neither Grove nor Wingo could reach the ball and both were left out of position, so Foster was forced to field the ball and run to first base. She fell to her knees trying to tag the bag, but Stephens beat her to it.
During that race to first, Bowers had rounded third. Foster stood and threw home, but Bowers slid in safe, giving Highland a 1-0 lead. And the play still wasn’t over.
On the throw home, Stephens took off for second. Liberty catcher Kendall Aubrey reacted by throwing to second, but Liberty’s centerfielder – forced to cover that base during the bizarre sequence – misplayed the ball and it rolled into the outfield. That allowed Stephens to run all the way around the bases and score on what began as a sacrifice bunt.
“I was very surprised,” Stephens said. “And out of breath by the time I reached home.”
Highland expanded its lead to 3-0 and the closest Liberty came to scoring was when Bethany Cooper was stranded on third base after doubling in the seventh.
(For complete story, see the March 25 edition of the Fauquier Times-Democrat)
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