Betz, Spartans Go 11 Innings for 3rd Crown in Row

Soroka Drives In Both Runs for Winners

RADFORD, Va., June 7 -- Broad Run senior Judy Betz faced a difficult task entering this season. It had nothing to do with replacing Caitlyn Delahaba, one of the best pitchers in Virginia High School League history.

Six months ago, Betz didn't know if she would even be able to pitch this spring.

"I didn't even think I would be full strength by April," she said.

Betz and her surgically repaired right arm were strong enough Sunday to toss 175 pitches over 11 pressure-packed innings in the Virginia AA championship game, outdueling Tunstall's Brittany Arnn for a 2-1 win.

Jenn Soroka's two-out RBI double scored Maggie Betz from first as the Spartans (22-3) earned their third straight state crown and fourth of the decade. Soroka also lofted a tying sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth.

But Soroka acknowledged the importance of Betz's role -- and not just because she allowed only one run over 18 innings on the weekend.

"She's not only our pitcher, but she's our core," Soroka said of Betz. "She holds everything together. She picks everyone up when they are down. She's just great and I'm going to miss her so much."

After her December surgery, which freed scar tissue from a nerve, Betz's arm sports a 10-inch scar. She scattered eight hits Sunday and struck out 13.

Spartans Coach Ed Steele has come to expect that kind of excellence from Betz, who's headed for Wagner College in New York.

"We've said all year that it's her turn to shine," he said. "What can I tell you? She's a magnificent pitcher and a great kid."

Betz got help from an errorless defense which cut down the potential go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. When Taylor Dix tried to score from first on Heather Francisco's double to right-center field, center fielder Anna Blessing cut off the ball and unleashed a 180-foot, one-hop strike to catcher Haley Johnson, who tagged out Dix by several feet.

An inning later, Soroka jumped on a waist-high fastball and split the gap in left-center. The throw home veered about 20 feet up the third base line and Maggie Betz scored standing up to end a 2-hour, 29-minute thriller.

"It didn't dawn on me that the game was over," Soroka said, "until I saw everyone charge out of the dugout."

That included Judy Betz, who had as much reason to celebrate as anyone in a Broad Run uniform.

"To come here and win a state championship," she said, "means everything fell into place."

Broad Run 2, Tunstall 1 Wrapping It Up: Tunstall Coach Roger Cook worked his last game after a 26-year career. Cook finished 488-84 and guided his squad to three runner-up finishes. End Like You Start: Broad Run started the decade with a 4-0, 11-inning title-game win over Virginia High.