Woodson Uses Pitcher's Tell to Add Win No. 7 on the Season

Woodson had a secret weapon on the softball field against West Potomac Wednesday. The Cavaliers noticed that rival pitcher Morgan Maniglia telegraphs her pitches, an insight that helped the Cavs extend their undefeated season to 7-0.

Senior Naomi Kennedy said that Morgan mainly shows her pitch when winding up for a curve ball. "It's our secret," she said when asked if it was common knowledge throughout the Patriot district.

West Potomac Coach Craig Maniglia doesn't believe that Morgan has a problem with tipping her hand.

"We only threw it [the curve ball] maybe three times because it's not working for us," he said. "It's not breaking as much as it should."

Reasons aside, Woodson seemed to have the Wolverines' pitching figured out. Before being pulled in the sixth inning, Morgan had given up five runs on six hits, including a home run and one walk.

Maniglia believes that the bigger issue with his team at this point in the season is the failure to score.

"This year we have left 39 runners on base," he said. "We're in a hitting slump and hopefully we can break out of it by districts."

Against Woodson, the Wolverines left two of their seven runners on base in the final inning after Hanah O'Neal swung at three straight pitches to end the game with runners on first and second.

"Unexpectedly we're here [at .500]," said Maniglia. "Every good team has its moments and I'm glad our moment is in the beginning and not at the end. Who wants to be hot coming in on the season and lay down at the end? There's no trophy for the first half of the season."

Tell that to the Cavaliers, who, in the words of coach Bob Coleman, are "pleasantly surprised."

"It's amazing," said K.J. Johnson. "Especially as a senior, [an undefeated season] is a cherry on top. I've had a great four years here, and I'm happy to finish it this way."

However, Johnson, who was 2-for-3 with a home run and RBI, is fully aware that her team has to finish strong as well.

"[Last year] we made it to the district finals, but we lost," she said. "I'm looking for more this year."

Woodson's next opponent is Lake Braddock.