Softball: Cougars Remain Undefeated in District

The Oakton High softball team stretched its winning streak to six games with a 4-0 win over Herndon on Friday to remain undefeated in the Concorde District.

The Cougars got on the board in the first inning with an RBI double from shortstop Emily Krisanda to score center fielder Emily Corridon, who got on base with a lead-off line drive single. 

They added two more runs in the third inning. Krisanda knocked in a second run with an RBI groundout, and then the Cougars scored again on a throwing error to put the score at 3-0.

"Emily [Krisanda] is just having a great season. She's leading the team in RBI, just murdering the ball. Everybody knows about [Allison] and Emily Corridon, but nobody really knows about E.K. and she's just playing so well," said Coach Ray Gordon, who pointed to her three-run double to win their extra innings game against Westfield earlier this week. Westfield had intentionally walked Davis to load the bases, which brought Krisanda into the batter's box.

In the fourth inning, the Cougars tacked on their final run on a line drive double from pitcher Allison Davis to score Mary Kate Mehegan, who reached on a bunt single.

Davis, a sophomore, struck out six, gave up only two hits — one in each of the first two innings — and did not walk a batter in her complete game shutout. The Cougar offense committed no errors.

The last time the Cougars and Hornets faced off, Davis pitched 18 strikeouts to help the Cougars to an 8-2 victory.

"After teams see Allison pitch, they shorten up their swings," Gordon said. "But we played perfect defense to back her up and give her those groundouts." 

The Hornets posed a scoring threat only once, in the first inning when their leadoff batter reached third base with one out. But the Cougars made the last two outs on the next two batters, holding the baserunner at third.

After giving up a single in the next inning, Davis pitched five straight three-up, three-down innings. 

The Cougars are now in the second half of the season, cycling through their Concorde District opponents once more. 

"Every team in this district is so tough, so you have to bring your 'A' game or you'll be in trouble," Gordon said. "But we're playing well, and if we can stay healthy and keep believing in ourselves, we'll be the best team in the district.