The Atoms softball team’s impressive district season came to an end in the district semifinal on May 17. AHS lost to the Edison Eagles in a tight 9-8 game, losing in nine innings to a walkoff.
Junior Shalini Vlcan pitched the entire game for the Atoms, pitching over 180 pitches and allowing just one earned run, with the rest scoring as a result of errors.
AHS fell behind early against Edison, but they battled back and forced extra innings before struggling to push the winning run across the plate.
This was the Atoms third game against the Eagles, losing all three but keeping the semifinal the closest, taking the Eagles to the final out.
The Atoms finished 12-7 on the season and 11-6 during the regular season, a drastic improvement from years past, as the Atoms finished 0-17 in 2021. The strong season is the first step to building a foundation for the Atoms softball team in the future.
“This season went incredibly well, even better than our expectations going into the year,” junior Shalini Vlcan said. “With the new district we had high expectations but none of us expected a .667 winning percentage during the regular season.”
Several players stepped up into big roles for the Atoms this season, as seniors Sayde Pritt and Merridith Harrison received all-district honors for their performance. Also, freshman Teagan Scott-Daniels and senior Tara Corcoran earned second team all-district honors. Junior Shalini Vlcan also earned all-district honorable mention alongside senior Holly Waldridge.
“I finally came out of my three year slump this season, improving my batting average of .205 in my first three seasons to .511 this season,” Pritt said. “I’m so proud of this team and everyone working so hard during practices and games to make it to where we have come.”
Pritt helped alongside Harrison, Corcoran, and Vlcan in the team’s renewed offensive approach, hitting more for power and being more aggressive early in counts.
Scott-Daniels impressed in her first high school season for the Atoms, playing a great defensive third base and pitching well as the Atoms #2 pitcher this season. Scott-Daniels will be a fundamental piece in the team’s continued quest for success next season.
AHS will play the West Potomac Wolverines in the first round of the regional tournament on Wednesday, May 25.
West Potomac finished in sixth place in the Patriot District, with a record of 6-11. The Wolverines played up and down throughout the season, with a 2-7 record on the road. The Atoms will have to play solid defensively and be aggressive in their offensive approach to defeat the Wolverines.