BARTRAM TRAIL - With the precision of a surgeon, Middleburg High senior pitcher Mallory Forrester and Broncos head coach Ashley Houston returned to Bartram Trail High School for a softball game that reverted memories back to two years ago.

“I thought about that game two years ago when we upset Bartram Trail here and kind of jump-started my career with Middleburg High School with a great group that year,” said Houston, who watched patiently as her ace pitcher sliced and diced her way to a one-hit, 21 strikeout performance that squelched all hopes of Bartram Trail’s 10-0 unbeaten season to continuing unscathed. “I love softball because every day is a different day and we won off of one inning of offensive inning.”

In that 2019 first season as coach, Houston’s Broncos reversed a 6-1 regular season loss to Bartram Trail with a scintillating 3-2 win over the Lady Bears (22-5 at the time; MHS 11-13) in the district championship with another pitcher, Kaylee Crickmore, doing the slicing and dicing on the mound.

For Forrester, who missed the Lady Broncos southern trip to the Montverde Academy Invitational to get pre-college prep at Flagler College where she will pitch next fall, actually pulled off the 21K salute earlier in the season against Providence.

“The first one was against Providence, but Bartram Trail was 10-0 and I looked on Maxpreps for some hints,” said Forrester. “Paige’s hit and the runs gave me the confidence that they could do the job on offense while I did mine on defense.”

Forrester did have some errant throws that found the face of the press box, but maintained her cool demeanor.

“I think I just kind of overpowered my softball, but told myself to just calm down and throw strikes,” said Forrester. “Knowing that Flagler is done makes things easier knowing I’m good to go and don’t have to worry about college stuff.”

Houston’s quick history for the most recent week included a 14-10 bat-fest win over Oakleaf High School with five homers, then the tense-filled 3-0 win over Bartram Trail in a dichotomoy of emotions.

“Mallory came in and threw a perfect game to give us a chance,” said Houston. “She is just a tough, stoic competitor that stays calm and in the zone. She had some errant throws, but her demeanor and our defense got the job done.”

Against Bartram Trail, Forrester got her offensive aid off a two run double from Paige Amato in the fifth inning after two singles; Maisy Campbell and Kaelyn Hagan, set up the gamewinner.

The mojo lasted just two days unfortunately as Keystone Heights High spoiled the festive mood with a 3-0 win at Middleburg High School despite Forrester sitting 10 Lady Indian batters with just three hits. Keystone Heights pitcher Madi Mitzel got the call and delivered eight strikeouts off eight hits, but no runs.