In regional quarterfinal softball action, Cosby second baseman Megan Bell-Hill drilled a shot to the wall in right for a triple and two RBI to break open a scoreless game in the top of the second at Hanover. The Titans then stood behind a strong defense and the pitching arm of Whitney Haller to hold on for a 2-1 win over the defending regional champion Hawks.

The game was expected to be a pitchers duel between the Titans standout Whitney Haller and Hawks’ ace Lisa Puryear and for the most part the game lived up to expectations. Though each pitcher gave up hits, they threw their best with the game on the line but the edge went to Haller who worked her way out of several long counts and bases-loaded situations.

“I think my pitcher was the big difference today,” said Cosby coach Ray Jeter. “Though Puryear did a nice job throwing- she kept us off balance with her changeup and down ball. We were just hoping for that one key hit and got it.”

Hanover head coach Chris Pace had nothing but praise for Haller’s pitching ability. “Whitney Haller- nasty,” he said. “This is one of the toughest lineups in the region to get out, but she did it. Despite the fact that we made her work hard she got the outs when the sacks were packed.”

Though Hanover started off slow, they gained momentum as the game went on and threatened to tie or even take the lead in the final innings.

“We thought the whole time we were going to win and that’s what I love most about this team,” Pace said.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hanover sent seven batters to the plate, loaded the bases but only netted one run on an RBI single by Courtney Long.

“We loaded the bases twice against her,” Pace said in dismay. “We just could not get the big hits. We had first and second in the sixth and seventh inning and we just could not get the big hit. This game is cruel that way.”

For Cosby, the win is a monumental one and the first time the young team has advanced past the first round of regional play. “This is huge,” Jeter said. “We made it to regionals last year and came up short and this year our goal was just to go a little further.”

The opposite can be said for a Hanover team that won the state championship in 2006 and was state runner-up in 2007.  “This is brutal,” said Pace. “We really didn’t expect this to go out here.

“We’re really disappointed,” Pace said. “This is a regional championship caliber team. We ran into a great pitcher tonight.”

Cosby advances to play Deep Run on Thursday May 29, at L.C. Bird High School.