Hanover softball winning streak ends at 45 games

Louisa players celebrate after defeating Hanover in the Class 4 softball semifinals. The Lions will face Halifax County in Saturday's championship game.

SPOTSYLVANIA — What's the formula for defeating the defending state champions who happen to be on a 45-game winning streak?

It starts with belief, in the mind and heart. It's challenging players to truly prepare for their opponent. Then, it's all about execution.

The Louisa Lions found the secret sauce, coming back from an early 3-0 deficit to stun the Hanover Hawks in the Class 4 state softball semifinal 5-4 Friday morning at Spotsylvania High School.

"There's been no doubt, from day one, they know they can beat anybody," noted Louisa coach Susan Sharpe. "They just keep plugging along, doing their thing."

The biggest story within the story was Louisa lefty Emily Gillespie overcoming a shaky start to keep Hanover (23-1) off the scoreboard long enough to give her offense a chance to warm up.

In the first, Kaileigh Byars doubled to center, Meghan DeShazo sent a bunt to the right of the circle, reaching on a hit, then Julia Cuozzo singled to score Byars. A Lilly Parrish sacrifice fly brought DeShazo home for a 2-0 Hawks lead.

After Cuozzo struck out the side in the second, Hanover added a run when Mackenzie Ryerson, who walked, stole second and took third on a wild pitch, scored on a fielder's choice from Byars.

The Lions (23-1) got on the board when Laci Garrett singled with one out in the third. After swiping second, she headed to third with two down, but Hanover had no one at the base when DeShazo threw from the plate. The ball sailed into left field, and Garrett scored to make it 3-1.

Conversely, Lions catcher Alyssa Hopkins picked off a Hanover runner after a strikeout to end the third inning, setting off a chain of events that put Louisa in position to pull off the upset.

Lauren Goodman scored in the Lions' fifth when a Garrett liner caromed off the glove of Hanover first baseman Olivia Gibson. Then came the sixth, when all the preparation to face Cuozzo paid off.

Louisa softball players celebrate after beating Hanover 5-3 in the Class 4 state semifinals on Friday, June 9.

"They had us scouted pretty well," Hawks coach Tommy Evans said. "They were keying on the drop ball, laying off certain pitches. Their small ball is what really got to us."

Indeed, Dara Jo Sharpe's one-out double in the sixth was only the second ball to reach the outfield in fair territory for Louisa. Hopkins tapped a grounder down the third-base line to reach safely, then stole second. Gillespie then lined a single to right to score Sharpe to tie it, then Lauren Goodman roped a double that brought up chalk on the first-base line to bring home Hopkins and Gillespie for a 5-3 Louisa lead.

Evans replaced Cuozzo with Lilly Parrish, who struck out all five batters that she faced over the final 1⅔ innings.

In the seventh, Byars reached on a dropped fly ball, scoring two batters later on a Cuozzo infield single. But with the tying run on base, Parrish grounded to third, and Hanover's winning streak was over.

"She didn't have a particularly bad day," Evans said of Cuozzo, who will next pitch at the University of Virginia. "They were prepared."

Hanover loses Cuozzo and McKenzie Parrish to graduation. Lilly Parrish showed fans a glimpse of the Hawks’ future in the circle. And, after posting one of the longest winning streaks in area softball history, the Hawks now have extra motivation to return and finish the job next season.

Hanover's Olivia Gibson is out after sliding toward second base during the Class 4 state semifinals against Louisa on Friday, June 9.

Hanover's Meghan Deshazo watches the ball as she runs toward third base during the Class 4 state semifinals against Louisa on Friday, June 9.

Louisa softball players celebrate after beating Hanover 5-3 in the Class 4 state semifinals on Friday, June 9.

Hanover's Mackenzie Ryerson cheers on her teammate during the Class 4 state semifinals against Louisa on Friday, June 9.

Louisa's Emily Gillespie pitches the ball during the Class 4 state semifinals against Hanover on Friday, June 9.

Hanover pitcher Brie Wheeler pitches the ball against Louisa during the Class 4 state semifinals on Friday, June 9.

Louisa softball players celebrate after beating Hanover 5-3 in the Class 4 state semifinals on Friday, June 9.

Hanover pitcher Nolan Williamson pitches the ball during the Class 4 state semifinals against James Wood on Friday, June 9.

Hanover catcher Booty Simons runs toward first base during the Class 4 state semifinals against James Wood on Friday, June 9.

Hanover's Tavis Spiller runs toward third base during the Class 4 state semifinals against James Wood on Friday, June 9.

Hanover pitcher Nolan Williamson pitches the ball during the Class 4 state semifinals against James Wood on Friday, June 9.

Hanover's Jack Bowles swings at the ball during the Class 4 state semifinals against James Wood on Friday, June 9.

Hanover pitcher Brie Wheeler pitches the ball against Louisa during the Class 4 state semifinals on Friday, June 9.

Louisa's Emily Gillespie pitches the ball during the Class 4 state semifinals against Hanover on Friday, June 9.

Hanover's Meghan Deshazo watches the ball as she runs toward third base during the Class 4 state semifinals against Louisa on Friday, June 9.

Hanover's Mackenzie Ryerson cheers on her teammate during the Class 4 state semifinals against Louisa on Friday, June 9.

Hanover's Olivia Gibson is out after sliding toward second base during the Class 4 state semifinals against Louisa on Friday, June 9.

Midlothian pitcher Marlee Gaskell delivers a pitch during the Trojans’ loss to Riverside in the Region 5C quarterfinals.

Midlothian players celebrate with Kimberly Jones after Jones’ home run gave the Trojans a short-lived lead in the fifth inning of their state quarterfinal loss.

Riverside's Ashley Gabbert celebrates with assistant coach Karen Avvisato behind Midlothian first baseman Lisa Broussard during the Trojans’ state-quarterfinal loss. Riverside advances to play Hickory in the Class 5 semifinals.

Riverside's Kaylan Hoehn and Tylor Arnold celebrate during their team's victory in a Region 5C state quarterfinal game.

Riverside's Ashley Gabbert slides into second base during the Region 5C state quarterfinal against Midlothian on Tuesday, June 6.

Riverside's Charlotte Moore swings at the ball during the Region 5C state quarterfinal against Midlothian on Tuesday, June 6.

Riverside's Ashley Gabbert celebrates with assistant coach Karen Avvisato during the Region 5C state quarterfinal against Midlothian on Tuesday, June 6.

Midlothian softball players celebrate with Kimberly Jones after her home run during the state quarterfinal matchup against Riverside. Riverside prevailed in extra innings.

Riverside's Kaylan Hoehn and Tylor Arnold celebrate during the Region 5C state quarterfinal against Midlothian on Tuesday, June 6.

Riverside's Kaylie Avvisato runs toward third base during the Region 5C state quarterfinal against Midlothian on Tuesday, June 6.

Midlothian's Kimberly Jones tries to tag Riverside's Ashley Gabbert out at second base during Tuesday's state quarterfinal game.

Midlothian pitcher Marlee Gaskell pitches the ball against Riverside during the state quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday.

Midlothian pitcher Marlee Gaskell pitches the ball against Riverside during the Region 5C state quarterfinal on Tuesday, June 6.

Midlothian starter Marlee Gaskell delivers a pitch during the Trojans’ Region 5C semifinal victory.

Midlothian's Ellie Mulligan celebrates during the Trojans’ Region 5C semifinal victory over Mills Godwin on Wednesday. Mulligan homered twice and drove in five runs.

Mills Godwin's Luke Smyers delivers a pitch during the Eagles’ victory over Midlothian in the Region 5C semifinals Wednesday.

Mills Godwin's Luke Smyers

Midlothian players celebrate their team scoring a run during the Trojans’ Region 5C loss to Mills Godwin on Wednesday.

Midlothian players celebrate as Chase Chambers returns home during a Region 5C semifinal game against Mills Godwin on Wednesday.

Deep Run's Alana Collier practices her swing during a Region 5C semifinal game against Clover Hill on Wednesday.

Mills Godwin pitcher Hank Piersol pitches the ball during a Region 5C semifinal game against Midlothian on Wednesday.

Midlothian right fielder Emma Salzman celebrates during a Region 5C semifinal game against Mills Godwin on Wednesday.

Midlothian players celebrate as Chase Chambers returns home during a Region 5C semifinal game against Mills Godwin on Wednesday.

Midlothian center fielder Ellie Mulligan celebrates during a Region 5C semifinal game against Mills Godwin on Wednesday.

Deep Run's Alana Collier swings at the ball during a Region 5C semifinal game against Clover Hill on Wednesday.

Clover Hill pitcher Angelina Branch pitches the ball against Deep Run during the Region 5C semifinals on Wednesday.

Midlothian's Cooper Meads runs toward third base during a Region 5C semifinal game against Mills Godwin on Wednesday.

Deep Run pitcher Hope Tate pitches the ball during a Region 5C semifinal game against Clover Hill on Wednesday.

Mills Godwin pitcher Luke Smyers delivers during the Region 5C semifinal against Midlothian on Wednesday.

Mills Godwin pitcher Anna Grace Howe pitches the ball against Midlothian during the Region 5C semifinals on Wednesday.

Midlothian pitcher Marlee Gaskell pitches the ball against Mills Godwin during the Region 5C semifinals on Wednesday.

Midlothian's Nico Dellicapagni expresses his displeasure with a referee's call during the Trojans’ loss to Deep Run in the Region 5C semifinals Tuesday night.

Douglas Freeman players celebrate after scoring their final goal by Hayden Schwartz in a 3-0 victory over Glen Allen in the Region 5C semifinals Tuesday night. The Mavericks will play Deep Run for the region title Friday night at Mills Godwin High School.

Freeman's Nicholas Gavin and Walker Hogan celebrate after beating Glen Allen in the Region 5C playoffs on Tuesday.

Freeman soccer players celebrate after scoring a third goal against Glen Allen during the Region 5C playoffs on Tuesday.

Midlothian forward Nico Dellicapagni disagrees with a referee during a Region 5C playoff game against Deep Run on Tuesday.

Freeman midfielder Hayden Shwartz drives with the ball against Glen Allen during the Region 5C playoffs on Tuesday.

Deep Run's Jack Shwarz heads the ball during a Region 5C playoff game against Midlothian on Tuesday.

Glen Allen's Riley Irmen and Freeman forward Owen McGuill fight for the ball during the Region 5C playoffs on Tuesday.

Freeman forward Arnes Popara and Glen Allen's Matthew Ross fight for the ball during the Region 5C playoffs on Tuesday.

Midlothian forward Jayden King shoots the ball against Deep Run during the Region 5C playoffs on Tuesday.

Midlothian's Landon Locke, left, and Luke McMahon celebrate a goal against Douglas Freeman. Locke scored three times and McMahon twice in the Trojans’ 11-10 win.

Midlothian's Landon Locke shields Douglas Freeman's Garrett Suter from the ball during the Region 5C championship game at Glen Allen High School on Thursday.

Douglas Freeman attacker Charles Bernhardt is knocked to the turf during the Mavericks’ loss to Midlothian in Thursday's Region 5C championship game.

Freeman midfielder Wit Rader defends the ball during the Region 5C championship game against Midlothian in Glen Allen on Thursday.

Midlothian attacker Landon Locke defends the ball from Freeman midfielder Garrett Suter during the Region 5C championship game in Glen Allen on Thursday.

Freeman attacker Charles Bernhardt is knocked to the ground during the Region 5C championship game against Midlothian in Glen Allen on Thursday.

Freeman attacker Thomas Rader runs with the ball during the Region 5C championship game against Midlothian in Glen Allen on Thursday.

Midlothian attacker Landon Locke defends the ball from Freeman midfielder Graham Daly during the Region 5C championship game in Glen Allen on Thursday.

Midlothian head lacrosse coach Greg Barnard speaks to a referee during the Region 5C championship game against Freeman in Glen Allen on Thursday.

Freeman midfielder Zackary Stewart defends the ball from Midlothian's Stephen Siegel during the Region 5C championship game in Glen Allen on Thursday.

Midlothian attacker Andrew Baker, left, walks toward Landon Locke and Luke McMahon as they celebrate after a goal during the Region 5C championship game against Freeman in Glen Allen on Thursday.

LOUISA 5, HANOVER 4

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