Public vs. private school championship a homerun

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Woodrow Wilson High School defeated Georgetown Visitation, 3-2, to capture the city title at the inaugural Congressional Bank Softball Classic at the Guy Mason Recreation Center. Wilson won the right to face Georgetown Visitation in the public vs. private school championship by defeating Calvin Coolidge, 17-1, in the DCIAA Championship Game early Saturday morning May 16."The level of talent on the field at the Softball Classic was impressive," said Erik Moses, CEO of the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission, which helped organize the tournament. "Quality competitions like these will only help grow the sport around the city and give these student-athletes an opportunity to showcase their talents."

The All-Star game ended in a 10-10 tie (the game was called due to time).

The tournament drew support from across the city, including Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. and D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray, who threw the ceremonial first pitches at the All-Star and Congressional Bank Softball Classic Championship games, respectively. DCSEC Board Member Regina Knox-Woods and D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation Acting Director Ximena Hartsock offered welcome remarks. Bob Jackson, Senior Vice-president of Congressional Bank threw out the first pitch of the DCIAA Championship game and Amber Jackson and members of the Washington Glory were on-hand to host a free skills clinic for girls ages 10-18.

The championship game started off as a pitcher's duel. Following a lightning delay in the bottom of the seventh inning, play resumed with Wilson trailing Visitation, 2-1. Wilson quickly took control of the game and with two outs and bases loaded, senior catcher Rachel Bitting hit a walk-off single to right field, driving in the winning run.

Visitation's Katie Colbe pitched seven complete innings, allowing just four hits and one run, while striking out 11. Wilson's Kathleen McLain also pitched seven complete innings, allowing eight hits and two runs, while striking out eight.

Wilson's Bitting was named Most Valuable Player after leading her team to victories in both the DCIAA and Congressional Bank Classic Championships.

Earlier, in the DCIAA Championship game, Wilson came out aggressive as they captured the DCIAA title with a 17-1 win over Coolidge High School.

Wilson's offense was lead by three seniors: Sarah Lauritsen, Susana Brylawski and Anna Bernstein. Bernstein's home run was her last at-bat of her high school career (due to the injury she was not able to play in the All-Star game or Classic Championship game).

Wilson was forced to play five of the seven innings with eight women as a result of Bernstein's injury, yet still managed to claim the victory. Senior Kathleen McLain pitched a one-hit, one-run game, racking up an impressive 14 strikeouts.

Coolidge senior Lauren Stevens lead her team on offense, reaching first base on an error only to steal around the bases and score the team's only run on an RBI by fellow senior Charmaine Hickman. Stevens and junior Tiarra McCormick each racked up two stolen bases. Junior pitcher Teyonna Kelly struck out six batters in the losing effort.

The four-and-a-half inning All-Star game ended in a 10-10 tie with each team reaching the three-run limit per inning multiple times.

The Congressional Bank Classic excitement continues Saturday May 30, with the Second Annual Baseball Classic at Nationals Park.

For more information, or to make a donation to the DC High School Baseball Classic, Inc., go to www.congressionalbankclassic.org.