I got a chance to see the DII Middlebury Tigers – with Lea, Jessica, and Mattea from winter pitching clinic – take on DI Rice … a Rice team that an Essex parent had described as “the strongest in years” after heavily favored Essex managed a 9-3 win over the Green Knights. The Tigers literally roared to victory with Lea in command on the mound with 12 strikeouts (including the side in the 2nd) as Middlebury pounded out a 15-0 shutout. Jessica played well at short and Mattea was strong behind the plate – and all three of “my Tigers” contributed at the plate. In fact, the run that ended it came as Mattea doubled, Lea moved her over, and Jessica drove her in. A fitting end to a nice win.

Congrats go out to Lea, who has been accepted at St. Michael’s College and is headed to SMC after she completes her career in Middlebury! And yes, even 27 years later and even with the connections to BFA St. Albans given my daughters' careers, it was still odd to be a former Mount Abraham Eagle on a Middlebury sideline, rooting for the Tigers! These three have earned it. :-)