By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — Skyline's players sat in the dugout and waited and waited.

A two-hour rain delay wasn't enough to soak the Hawks' spirits, and once it was time to take the field, they made the most of their opportunities.

Skyline rallied from an early deficit to pull out a 3-1 Northwestern District victory over Millbrook on Friday.

"In the dugout we were just hanging out, talking, doing a lot of team bonding," Skyline's Amanda Litwin said. "We were eating sunflower seeds, watching the rain. It wasn't too bad."

Litwin, Skyline's starting pitcher, held the Pioneers' offense in check throughout the game. She had five strikeouts and allowed only six hits.

The junior got some help from the Hawks' offense as well.

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fifth, Litwin led off with a single off Millbrook pitcher Nicole Daily. Megan Augugliaro reached on an error, and one out later, Litwin scored on another Pioneers error.

Mandy Poe then struck out, but a dropped third strike resulted in Augugliaro scoring to give the Hawks (6-5, 5-3 Northwestern) a 2-1 lead.

"We used a little small-ball tonight," Skyline coach Richard Armstrong said. "We only had to overcome one run, we feel like we can do that. We didn't let them get too far ahead, that was big. Millbrook is a good offensive team."

Litwin helped her own cause in the sixth inning with an RBI groundout to make it 3-1. Millbrook (10-6, 7-3) struck first with a run in the bottom of the third inning.

Casey Ferrell reached on a force out and Lindsey Pappas followed with a single. Daily then singled to right field, scoring Ferrell for a 1-0 lead. Millbrook threatened again in the sixth as Kayla Priet and Madisen Burrow had back-to-back, two-out singles. Litwin was able to induce a groundout by Kailin Fries to end the threat.

"Innings like that always makes me nervous," Litwin said. "I have a good defense to back me up and that helps a lot."

Millbrook had one more chance in the bottom of the seventh. Millbrook's Amber Wells led off with a single and advanced to second on a groundout by Stephanie Curry. Skyline's Kaitlin Robinson then made a nice catch on a well-hit ball by Ferrell to center field.

Pappas hit a little comebacker to Litwin for what looked like an easy out. Litwin bobbled the ball before finally making the throw to first just in time for the final out.

"I was thinking 'get the ball, get the ball'," Litwin said of the final out. "I was nervous. It felt good once it was finally over. I was happy and excited."

The Pioneers were playing without three of their players, including two starters. Daily, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, also said all the work the team did to the field prior to the game may have worked against Millbrook.

Pioneers coach Michelle Long said there were no excuses in losing the game, her team was simply outplayed.

"They're a great team," Long said. "I have the utmost respect for their coach and their players. They simply beat us tonight."

The Hawks have not experienced the traditional hiccups that accompany most first-year programs. Skyline notched wins against Northwestern District opponents Sherando and Central, and gave Brentsville a battle before falling 6-3.

Armstrong said the win over Millbrook is the highlight of their season so far.

"This is a huge one," Armstrong said. "They are one of the best teams in the district. Nicole is one of the best pitchers in the district. With the conditions we were playing in, for us to win this game — I'm just speechless."

*Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com

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