Pitching, Defense Bringing Bohemia Manor Softball Success

There's a commonly used saying in softball that pitching and defense wins championships. If that line is indeed true, Bohemia Manor could be winning some postseason hardware this year.

The Eagles are 11-0 in the highly competitive UCBAC, racking up two wins against the defending MPSSAA 1A state champion, Perryville, as well as Bel Air, which is the Bobcats lone defeat of the season. The group's pitching and defense has played a major role in Bohemia Manor's collective success- the Eagles have allowed two runs or less in eight games this season, which includes four shutouts.

On average, Bohemia Manor has allowed just under two runs a game.

"Naturally, it's always great to win games. However, we have been trying to focus on improvement, being responsible and doing your job for the team," head coach Russ Morgan said. "We have three pitchers and that allows us some flexibility when playing three games in a week. Consistently strong pitching has served us well thus far by limiting walks and keeping hits where our defense can make plays."

The pitching staff features a pair of seniors in Taylor Abshagen and Rachel Jones, as well as freshman Maddie Penta. The trio has done a superb job of being on the same page as junior catcher Megan Horsey.

Bohemia Manor's defense has been superb as well, with Morgan being particularly pleased with how the outfield has done. With seniors patrolling each position, it's an experienced and athletic group comprised of left fielder Justine Borneman, center fielder Erin Horsey and right fielder Zoe Lockwood.

The Eagles haven't been slouches at the plate either- the team averages just under eight runs scored per game. The offense is paced by its difficult middle of the order, which is made up of Abshagen, junior shortstop Anna Tidaback and junior first baseman Melinda Morgan.

In its game on Monday against Bel Air, Bohemia Manor will be looking to repeat what it did in its first meeting with the Bobcats. The Eagles played a strong all-around game on Apr. 3, topping Bel Air 6-0 in a highly competitive contest.

"I expect our second match up with Bel Air will be much like our first- a low scoring affair against a tough opponent that will fight to the end of the game," Morgan said.

Beyond the rematch with Bel Air, Bohemia Manor has plenty of tricky games remaining on its schedule, including a match-up with perennial Harford County powerhouse C. Milton Wright.

If Bohemia Manor continues to play at the level it has throughout the first half of its season, the Eagles will definitely be a group to keep an eye on once the MPSSAA 1A playoffs get underway. That's a few weeks off though, and Morgan wants his group focusing on what's directly ahead of it right now.

"Every team wants to make a deep run in the playoffs," Morgan said. "We're hoping to be competitive during the season and give ourselves a chance to win in every game."