The top-seeded Potomac State Catamounts proved once again why they're the team to beat in the Region 20 Division 2 Final Four, but it wasn't easy. In a thrilling 7-6 victory over No. 5 CCBC Catonsville on Friday, the Catamounts showed that championship grit isn't just about power—it's about hustle.
Trailing 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning, sophomore Skyla Compton stepped up to the plate with two strikes. Known for her team-leading 19 home runs, Compton surprised everyone by serving a soft hit off the end of her bat near second base. The shortstop dove, kicked the ball into shallow right field, and Compton—one of just two returning players from last year's title-winning squad—sprinted all the way to second base for a hustle double.
"I knew I had to get into scoring position, especially with no outs," Compton said. "It was a tight game, and I really needed to get there."
Two batters later, Delaney Randolph drove Compton home with a sacrifice fly, giving Potomac State a 7-6 lead. Lacie Miller, the other returning sophomore, then retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the victory.
The win wasn't just about the final score—it was a lesson in resilience. Potomac State (32-5) had dominated Catonsville (22-20-1) in their two regular-season meetings, winning by a combined 18-1. But in tournament play, nothing comes easy. Catonsville jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on two defensive errors. Potomac State fought back, taking their first lead in the third inning on a run-scoring single from Mountain Ridge graduate Jaianna Wickline, who finished 2-for-2.
Catonsville answered with three unanswered runs to take a 6-4 lead in the fifth, but Potomac State refused to back down. Moorefield alumna Carlee Haines grounded a two-run single to left field, tying the game at 6-6 and setting the stage for Compton's heroics.
"Adversity," said Potomac State head coach Chris Greise, summing up the game. "We dug a hole in the first inning, got down three, gave them a couple free runs. We nipped back, they'd climb back in front of us. Fortunately, we made the final climb."
For Compton, the close call was exactly what her young team needed. With a roster full of freshmen, the Catamounts are learning that tournament softball is a different beast. "This is a different environment than the regular season," she said. "Everybody's out for blood. Realizing that a team we beat twice came back and almost beat us—it's really going to help for the rest of the season."
Potomac State kicks off their title defense with a gritty win, proving that sometimes the best plays aren't the loudest—they're the ones that show the most heart.