Today's Softball State Championships At The University Of Maryland, College Park

Class 4A

No. 1 Broadneck (19-0) vs.

No. 10 North Carroll (18-3)

Time: 11 a.m.

Outlook: Broadneck will try to write the final chapter to its remarkable season. The Bruins will rely on pitcher Kourtney Salvarola to win the program's first state championship. Salvarola is 11-0 with a 0.90 ERA. She is also Broadneck's leading hitter, batting .620. The Bruins blew out C.H. Flowers (Prince George's County), 14-0, in the state semifinals. Ashley Thomas led the way with a two-run homer. North Carroll has also put together an impressive season, winning the Carroll County league crown and advancing to its first state final since 2002. The Panthers have won 14 consecutive games and are led by catcher Holly Buckel, who is batting .475. North Carroll beat Montgomery County's Sherwood, 1-0, in the state semifinals on a sacrifice bunt by Jaimie Cordery in the top of the eighth.

- Todd Karpovich

Class 2A

Lansdowne (15-4) vs.

McDonough (18-0)

Time: 4 p.m.

Outlook: Lansdowne has been solid all season offensively and defensively to advance to its first state final since 1981. The Vikings outscored their opponents 38-3 in the regional playoffs. Lansdowne is led by freshman pitcher Maude McCourry, who is 12-4 with a 0.94 ERA. Kelli Pease is the top offensive threat, batting .397 with two home runs and 14 RBIs. In the state semifinals, McCourry threw a complete game in a 4-1 victory over Walkersville of Frederick County. The Vikings, however, will have their hands full against McDonough, a powerhouse out of Charles County that has given up just one run all season. The Rams are led by pitcher Melanie Mitchell, who is 18-0 and has yet to allow a run. Mitchell is also batting about .500 and will play at Virginia next season.

- Todd Karpovich

Class 3A

No. 6 Franklin (20-2) vs. Northern-Calvert (17-2)

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Outlook: Led by senior pitcher Jordan Eades, the Indians have been methodically building toward the program's first state championship. Last season, they reached the state semifinals, and this year they took the next step, defeating Frederick County's Urbana, 7-4, to advance to the title game. In their way is defending state champion Northern-Calvert, which has won five championships. Eades (16-2, 1.40 ERA) also is a threat at the plate, and first baseman Kimberly Dorsey and shortstop Mary Sobota are both hitting over .400. Northern, which came away with a 1-0 win over Fallston in the semifinals, is led by sophomore pitcher Kaitlyn Schmeiser (12-1, 0.40 ERA) and a potent lineup that features senior first baseman Eileen Horsman (.537 average, 28 RBIs).

- Glenn Graham