Woodgrove High School’s amazing first season continued June 7 in the Virginia AA softball quarterfinals. Junior catcher Christy Haney drove in the winning runs with two outs in the sixth inning as the Wolverines rallied for a 2-1 victory over York in Purcellville.

The Region II champion Wolverines (24-4) are now just two wins away from winning a state championship. York, who advanced to the state playoffs as Region I runner-ups, completes its season at 17-7.

“We were just hoping to get out of the district. Now, we’re just playing and having fun,” Woodgrove coach Joe Spicer said of his team’s incredible run.

Tuesday’s game did not look fun for the Wolverines early on; the Falcons got on board in the second inning after a bobbled ball at first.

Despite a total of nine hits, the Falcons were unable to score again.

The Wolverines appeared to be stuck against a formidable Falcon defense, led by senior shortstop and Region I Player of the Year Mary O’Connor (George Mason University), for much of the game.

“This is the best defensive team we’ve played all season,” Spicer said. “The shortstop was unbelievable; I don’t know if I’ve seen better.”

The Wolverines were finally able to get on the board in the sixth inning. Courtney Bogan singled and Ashley Cole walked with two outs to set the table. Haney then came through in the clutch - belting one into centerfield to score both base runners.

“We have a fighting spirit,” Haney said. “My hit would have been nothing without the two girls before me. We string it together.”

Pitcher Allie Reid, despite allowing nine hits, maintained her composure, striking out four batters during the game. 

“We put ourselves in bad situations, but we never give up,” Reid said. “I know my team has my back. I just take it one pitch at a time.”

The Wolverines move on to the state semifinals at Radford University. Woodgrove will face Northside in the semifinals June 10 at 4 p.m. Northside defeated Abingdon 3-2 in the state quarterfinals.

The young Wolverine squad - with only five juniors and no seniors - feel they have already defied expectations by being there.

“No one expected us to go this far,” Reid said. “Now we’re just making our mark.”