Madison’s softball team spent the past two seasons cloaked by the success of Osbourn Park, but the Warhawks can no longer fly under the radar. The team enters the 2018 season as the defending state champion after scoring a 3-1 victory against Osbourn Park in the Virginia 6A title game.
Last season, the Yellowjackets stood where the Warhawks stand now: They held the state championship trophy, and they returned a roster packed with seniors. Madison, though, spoiled Osbourn Park’s victory tour: The Warhawks beat the Yellowjackets in the 6A North final and again for the state championship.
This time around, Madison has the trophy and the senior-laden lineup, and the team looks to avoid the fate it handed its rival. The Warhawks will field seven senior starters, all four-year varsity players. The chemistry and camaraderie they started building as freshmen brought them to the state final as sophomores, and then to the winner’s circle as juniors. While they have already reached the pinnacle, they intend to stay there.
“We’re hoping their senior season is their best one yet,” Madison Coach Jim Adkins said. “But our success last year, it puts a bull’s eye on your back. I don’t think we’re going to surprise anyone.”
Senior center fielder Emily Klingaman will lead the way offensively and defensively. The Stanford signee and first team All-Met batted .500 last season, including a walk-off, two-run homer in the state championship game. Purdue signee Alex Echazarreta will man the circle.
“Our success is going to be based on our seniors, if they’re capable and are going to perform the way they have the last two years,” Adkins said.
1. Madison (28-1) Last ranked: 2
The Warhawks return seven senior starters from last season’s 6A championship team, including center fielder and leadoff hitter Emily Klingaman (a Stanford signee).
2. Bishop O’Connell (27-0) LR: 1
Senior Kathryn Sandercock (Florida State) recorded 330 strikeouts in 151 innings last year en route to WCAC and VISAA titles.
3. Woodgrove (23-0) LR: 3
The two-time defending Virginia 4A champions will try for a three-peat behind senior pitcher Camryn Dolby (Boston College) and senior catcher Maxine Barnes (St. John’s).
4. Northwest (19-2) LR: 4
Amber Yuille pitched the Jaguars to their first Maryland state title as a freshman last season, and she will look to build on that success in her sophomore campaign.
5. Sherwood (19-2) LR: 6
The Warriors fell short of a sixth straight state championship with a loss to Northwest in the Maryland 4A final last May, but they welcome back the lion’s share of their 2017 roster.
6. Huntingtown (18-4) LR: 8
Maryland state runners-up in each of the past two seasons, the Hurricanes will try to seal the deal with a 3A state title this year.
7. Stone Bridge (19-5) LR: NR
The Bulldogs must replace pitcher Jess Osborne and designated player Emily Young but otherwise keep the starting lineup from last season’s Virginia 5A state semifinal squad intact.
8. Eleanor Roosevelt (18-2) LR: NR
Lauryn Brooks (Hampton) is raring to start her senior season, a good sign for the Raiders: She batted .758 with eight home runs and 32 RBI through 14 games last season before she was sidelined with a broken arm.
9. Hayfield (18-7) LR: 10
Senior pitcher Avery Neuhart (Mount St. Mary’s) is confined to first base to start the season as she heals from hip surgery, so the Hawks will rely on freshman Tiffany Posey in the circle.
10. Quince Orchard (16-3) LR: 9
Sophomore shortstop Aniko Alexander will lead the youthful Cougars, who had seven seniors graduate from last year’s team.
On the bubble: Leonardtown (21-2), South County (17-5), Glenelg (17-6)
Records from last season.