The Arlington Sage 10-under girls softball team won the Summer Jam NIT tournament in Sterling in dramatic fashion on May 21, with a walkoff game-winning base hit by outfielder Harper Bryant to defeat the Vienna Raiders, 7-6, in the championship game.
The Sage (12-0-1) rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the contest.
Lilly Johnsen pitched well in relief, giving up just one run through four innings and striking out 12.
Amelia Grigorescu had a key leadoff bunt single in the final inning, then Claire Montminy walked. One out later, Ella Bryant singled sharply to left, scoring one. After walks to Grace Porter and Clara Probst, Bryant plated the winning run with a line drive up the middle for the game-winner.
In May 20 pool play, Arlington defeated the Ashburn Comets, 4-1, behind four solid innings of pitching by Johnsen.
In their second game, the Sage defeated the Southern Maryland Velocity, 17-3. Grigorescu had two hits and Vivian McBride had four RBI in that contest.
In the semifinals, the Sage again pummeled their opponents, the Stafford Diamonds, 12-3, behind two hits each from Grigorescu, Anna Rizzolo and Becca Pyser.
Hope Murphy, Avery Ehst and Olivia Zuluaga, also contributed in the tournament,
The Sage are coached by Graham McBride, Julia McBride and Scott Montminy.
