Varsity Softball Home Page

Softball Players Honored for Academics and Athletic Feats

Two members of Northwood High School’s varsity and junior varsity softball teams received the Scholar Athlete Award and 13 players earned the Minds in Motion Award at the school’s Spring Sports Award Night on Thursday (May 17).

Northwood used the occasion in the school auditorium to shine the spotlight on its top performers in the classroom as well as on the playing fields.

Hailed as Scholar Athletes – the evening’s highest honor for student-athletes -- for attaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average during the spring season were Gabriella Cottilli and Renee Rankine.

In addition, 13 players were cited with the Minds in Motion Award for recording at least a 3.25 average during the third marking period of 2011-12 at Northwood. The recipients were: Cariel Taney, Christianne Taney, Amy Nguyen, Gabriella Cottilli, Tishia Cobbs, Sury Caballeros, Magdalena Miranda, Paloma Heureaux Fajardo, Yocauri Mejia, Katherine Maldonado, Wendy Argueta, Eliana Ramirez and Renee Rankine.

Allyn Crews, head coach of the softball program, presented his awards for accomplishments on the playing field: Christi Taney, Count on Me Award; Cariel Taney, Count on Me Award; Amy Flores, Varsity Most Improved; and Wendy Argueta, JV MVP.

Game 17: Playoff game. Rockville 13, Northwood 3 (5 inn.)

For five and a half innings, it looked like the gladiators were going to pull off the upset against Rockville. After losing to Rockville earlier in the season 15-2 due to defensive problems, the defense buckled down and held Rockville to 1 run until the bottom of the fifth inning.

Northwood had the lead 3 -1 going into the bottom of the fifth, until a combination of big hits in the outfield with bases loaded were too much and the game ended.

Despite the loss, coaches Crews and Taney were pleased with the way the lady gladiators played.

Game 16: Bethesda-Chevy Chase 14, Northwood 4 (4 inn. due to heavy rain)

The umpire finally called the game when the pitchers were bowling instead of hurling softballs. Heavy rain started in the second inning, and although the ladies were wet and freezing, the game went on.

NHS scored one run in the top of the first inning. BCC came back with two runs. Northwood jumped to a lead in the second with three more runs, but BCC kept up by scoring four. Most of the second and all of the third and fourth innings were in a downpour. Finally, after digging out mud from the pitchers cleats, and watching balls slip out of everyone's hands with no hits, the game was stopped.

The Gladiators finished 4-12 in the regular season.

Northwood drew Rockville in the first round of the tournament tomorrow, 4:00 PM, at Rockville HS.

Game 15: Springbrook 17, Northwood 6 (5 inn.).

The gladiators started out great by taking a 1-0 lead after the first inning, but then fell behind after big second and fifth innings from Springbrook, where they scored 16 runs mostly from gladiator errors.

Hits from the Taney girls kept Northwood in the game until the top of the fifth inning.

The last regular season game is at Bethesda-Chevy Chase on 5/9, 5:15 PM. After that, the gladiators will find out their opponent in the first round of the tournament.

Game 14: Richard Montgomery 23, Northwood 4

(5 inn.)

Perhaps five games in nine days finally caught up with

the gladiators as they fell to the much larger Richard Montgomery squad.

The first inning showed promise as Northwood was only down 5-2, but the second inning did the damage as the rockets consistently belted balls in the outfield and scored 14 runs. Northwood scored another run in the third, and a run in the fifth, but it wasn't enough as R-M managed to add to their lead in every inning.

Next up is Springbrook at home on 5/4, 3:30 PM.

JV finishes season with tough loss to Poolesville,

17-9. Record in 2012: 4-8

Coach Alford said that his team "struggled to hit" in their last game of the season on 5/1, but he "expects big improvement in 2013 since two-thirds of the team are freshman."

View photos by Sewell Johnson of the JV's game.

Game 13: Paint Branch 21, Northwood 3 (5 inn.)

Varsity softball's three-game winning streak came to an end on 4/30 with a tough loss to powerhouse Paint Branch, whose shortstop was a featured player in last week's "Wheaton Gazette."

Paint Branch jumped to a 10-0 lead in the first, but the gladiators shut them down in the second, and scored three runs; however, it wasn't enough because Paint Branch scored another 10 runs in the third, and one in the fourth, while Northwood left several runners on base.

Next up is Richard Montgomery at home on 5/2, 3:30 PM.

Game 12: Northwood 12, Einstein 11 (7 inn.)

In a game that lasted over three hours, the gladiators came from behind by scoring 5 runs in the top of the seventh inning, and holding Einstein to zero runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The gladiators were looking for payback from a previous loss to Einstein. Motivated by an additional perk from Coach Crews (if they won all three games this week, the ladies will get to shave off his beard), Northwood dug in in the bottom of the seventh to hold off two Einstein base runners. Junior Christie Taney got the final out against Einstein by tagging a runner caught off third base.

Highlights for the game included JV player Kathy Maldanado's great, running catch in left field in the fourth inning against one of Einstein's power hitters, and sophomore Jasmine Wood's catch in left to put out Einstein's other big hitter.

The Northwood offense was down to their last out in the top of the seventh with bases loaded when sophomore Gabby Cottilli walked. After a catcher interference hindered senior Precious Parker's at bat, resulting in her taking first base, freshman Carie Taney drove in two runs, followed by more gladiator offense.

The defense dug in in the bottom of the seventh even with Einstein runners in scoring position.

Coach Crews will be a few ounces lighter once the gladiators shave his beard next week.

The next game is Monday, 4/30, vs. Paint Branch at home at 3:30 PM. The gladiators are on a 3-0 winning streak.

JV beats Einstein 27-13.

J.V. softball won in convincing fashion on Saturday, 4/28. This win marks the first time that the team has won back-to-back games this season. Coach Alford said "good job gladiators!" The final j.v. game is Tuesday, 5/1, vs. Poolesville at home at 3:30 PM.

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Game 11: Northwood 20, Kennedy 8 (5 inn.)

The gladiators went 2-0 this week with a big win over crosstown rival Kennedy. Northwood scored 8 runs in the first inning, and kept adding to their total.

The girls were looking for a little payback after losing to Kennedy right before spring break, with a few of girls today playing positions for the first time.

Northwood scored 3 runs in the second, lead by a home run by sophomore Jasmine Wood's drive over the glove of the Kennedy right-fielder. The gladiators continued hitting and scoring runs adding 1 in the third, 3 in the fourth, and 5 in the fifth. Kennedy had one more chance to bring the game within 10 runs before the mercy rule kicked in, but the ladies hung tight in the bottom of the fifth and denied Kennedy any runs.

Northwood is 2-0 this week. The next game is Saturday, 4/28, 1:30 PM, at Einstein. The gladiators will be looking for a some payback from an earlier season loss, and the ladies will shave off Coach Crews' beard if they win.

View action photos of the game by Susie Shaffer.

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JV gets revenge on Kennedy by winning 27-20 at home on April 27th.

Lead by Wendy Argueta, who played at 2nd base for the first time ever and went 3 for 3 at the plate (including a 3 base hit and 5 RBI's).

The JV plays their next game at home vs. Einstein on 4/28 at 10:00 AM.

Game 10: Northwood 26, Wheaton 6 (5 inn.)

The Gladiators overwhelmed Wheaton with their second win of the season over the knights.

The score was tied 1-1 after the first inning, but Northwood scored 7 runs in the second, 3 runs in the third, and a whopping 15 runs in the fourth to force the game into ending after five innings.

All the gladiators scored numerous times from hot bats, and several errors by the Wheaton infield.

The next game is at Kennedy on Thursday, 4/26, 3:30 PM.

Tuesday, April 24th: JV Softball loses a close one at Wheaton, 22-26.

Next game is home vs. Kennedy on Thursday, 4/26, 3:30 PM.

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Game 9: Poolesville 14, Gladiators 1 (5 inn.)

It was a long road trip to Poolesville that included a viewing of their two softball pitching machines used by their experienced hitters. Poolesville got off to a quick start by scoring 10 runs in the first, two innings, but then the gladiators settled down and held them to four runs in the third and fourth.

With only nine players available to make the trip, Coach Crews brought up JV player Maggie Miranda to play center field.

Northwood's lone run came from sophomore Gabby Cottilli, who was the only batter to walk, and scored when freshman Carie Taney doubled.

Next up is Wheaton at home on Tuesday, 4/24. The gladiators have already beaten Wheaton this season.

Game 8: Rockville 15, Gladiators 2

The ladies jumped out to a quick two run lead, but Rockville bunted and walked their way to a win.

Next game is away at Poolesville on 4/21.

JV Softball wins at home 26-18 over Rockville

Thursday, 4/19

Next game is at Wheaton on 4/24

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Game 7: Watkins Mill 3, Gladiators 2

It was a tough loss for the ladies as they held a slim lead until the end. Runs were scored by Christi Taney and Gabby Cottilli.

JV Softball Watkins Mill 30, Gladiators 18

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Game 6: Einstein 11, Gladiators 8

The Northwood girls varsity softballers took a tough loss at home on Saturday (April 14) by coming from behind and scoring four runs in the last two innings. The visitors took the contest, 11-8.

Einstein did the damage in the first inning by scoring 6 runs, and the Gladiators had to play catch up.

The big bat highlight came from freshman Carie Taney, who hit a two-run home run in the last inning.

The Glads fell to 1-5 overall in 2012.

A few photos from the middle innings here.

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JV Softball results -- Saturday, April 14th

The Gladiators junior varsity softball side lost a tough one to Einstein 19-18 because of the two-hour time limit for JV games.

Northwood needed 3 runs in the bottom of the last inning to win, but because of ladies benched for accidentally throwing bats, and no subs available, the team had to take two outs when those players were up in the lineup.

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Game 5: Gladiators 0, Damascus 27 (5 inn.)

It was a tough road trip all the way out to Damascus on Thursday, April 12th. The dominant hornets shut down Northwood's offense. Although several ladies hit the ball from tough pitching, only junior Christie Taney reached base.

Next up is Einstein at home on Saturday, April 14th, 2:30 PM.

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JV Softball results -- Wednesday, April 11th

Northwood 12, Damascus 25

The JV softball team made the excursion to Damacus and hung in for a while, but eventually fell under a much larger Damascus squad.

Next up is Einstein at Northwood on Saturday, 4/14, 10:00 AM.

Game 4: Kennedy 15, Gladiators 4 (5 inn.)

Kennedy jumped off to a quick start scoring 13 runs in their first three innings. The Gladiators got on the board in the third inning with four runs, but then ran out of time because of the MCPS mercy rule (Thursday, March 29).

Pitcher Amy Flores was back on the mound, and Northwood hits came from Lorena Perez, Precious Parker, Jasmine Wood, Saeeda Mazyck (a double with two RBIs), and Amy Nguyen, but with only ten players available due to the music department's spring break competition in Florida, some of Coach Crew's ladies were missing.

The next game is Thursday, 4/12, at Damascus, and Coach Crews hopes to have "all of our players available."

Game 3: Sherwood 25, Gladiators 0 (5 inn.)

With Northwood starting pitcher Amy Flores still on the injured reserve list, Northwood had a tough time handling Sherwood's squad, which last year was a state semifinalist, and has more than half the team playing on a competitve travel team.

The talented visitors dropped a 25-0 setback on the Gladiators (1-2 overall) in varsity girls softball on Tuesday (March 27).

Coach Crews said, "Sherwood is the toughest team we will face all season." Emily Hernandez got the Gladiators lone hit in the second inning.

The next game is nearby rival Kennedy at home on Thursday, 3/29, at 3:30 PM.

See photos from the game.

http://shaffer-hotshots.smugmug.com/Northwood-Gladiator-Girls/Spring-2012-Season/Varsity-Softball-Game-vs/22145772_NPC79G#!i=1770939976&k=pDk9Jkg

Game 2: Gladiators 39, Wheaton 24 (5 inn.)

In a game that started out with a lot of "jewelry penalties" (MCPS rules does not allow any jewelry or rubber wristbands to be worn in competition) and only eight players available from the third inning on, team manager Lisa Dang kept busy filling in diamonds on the scoresheet as Northwood scored 39 runs in five innings to defeat Wheaton on their home turf.

In the end, the Gladiators' varsity girls softball squad took home a wild 39-24 triumph in a game played on Monday (March 26), representing one of the highest-scoring games in scholastic softball locally.

With starting pitcher Amy Flores on the IR list, coaches Crews and Taney used three ladies, not known for pitching, to get the job done. Freshman Carie Taney started off, with relief by sophomore Gabby Cottilli, who stepped in at the end of the first inning, and hung on until the fifth when junior Christi Taney finished the job by striking the last batter out.

Everyone crossed the plate several times, and the bats were swinging with two home runs hit by Carie Taney, Lorena Perez, and a single dinger hit by Christie Taney.

The Gladiators are now 1-1, and face perennial powerhouse Sherwood at home on Tuesday, March 27.

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JV Softball Results --- Monday, March 26th

The team lost a close one to Wheaton at home 15-18. The gladiators are now 1-2, and the next game is at Kennedy on Wednesday, March 28th. -JV GAME PHOTOS HERE.

Game 1: Seneca Valley 15, Gladiators 0 (5 inn.)

With only three players returning from last year's team, coaches Crews and Taney debuted their softball squad Thursday, March 22nd, against a hard-throwing Seneca Valley hurler.

Gladiator senior Precious Parker (catcher) was the first to reach base in the fifth inning with a single. The Gladiator defense dug in and held S-V to only 1 run in the 3rd and fourth innings. Unfortunately, time ran out because of the 10-run mercy rule in MCPS softball. With a few more innings, the Gladiators might have been able to tag the

S-V pitcher with a few more hits.

Coach Crews said, "we are developing competitors. Losing is part of Learning." The next game is away at Wheaton on Monday, 3/26, 3:30 PM.

JV Softball Results --

Coach Alford has his team off to a 1-1 record with a win over Seneca Valley (26-17) on 3/22, and a loss to Sherwood (6-16) on 3/24. The next game is Monday, 3/26, at home vs. Wheaton at 3:30 PM.

*View photos of the JV's game vs Seneca Valley by Sewell Johnson.

Photos of the JV's game vs Sherwood by Sewell Johnson here.

The Lady Glads used stellar hitting, crisp base running, and deft fielding to win their 17-3 scrimmage over the Northwestern Wildcats from Hyattsville on March 17th. Check out the great video by JV dad Sewell Johnson. (Click on the image). More game photos of JV and Varsity here.