Prince Frederick, MD – The Huntingtown High School 2019 State Champion softball team was honored by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) during their meeting this week with a proclamation. The 3A State Championship win marked the second straight for the Hurricanes and fifth in program history.
“It’s a pleasure being back and seeing you all again,” stated longtime Huntingtown Head Coach Michael Johnson as he introduced himself at the microphone. Johnson’s squad followed up a dominant 2018 championship season by going 22-1, winning their fourth straight 3A South Regional Championship, and defeating Chesapeake High School 2-0 in the state final.
Present to accept the proclamation and praise from the commissioners were coach Johnson, Juniors Jaden Vermillion and Alyssa Elliott, Sophomores Sophie Futchko and Caroline Morey, and Freshman Ellie Richardson.
Before reading the proclamation, Commissioner Mike Hart [R-district 1] Morey, a pitcher, if “location or speed” were more important when sending the ball towards the plate. Morey responded that “both” were important but added that speed is better at the start because you have to “make ‘em off balance.” After a chuckle spread throughout the room, Commissioner Vice President Kelly McConkey [R-district 3] interjected that the girls “can’t give up their recipe [for success].” Hart finished his pre-proclamation spiel stating that the championship was “just incredible” and that “it’s not easy to win it all” let alone to “win it twice.”
After opening in 2004, Huntingtown won its first state softball title during their inaugural season. The Hurricanes won it all their first three seasons (2005, 2006, and 2007) before an eleven-year hiatus from the podium. Huntingtown reached the finals the past four seasons now but was fruitless until last year (2018). Head Coach Michael Johnson has been at the helm for all five championship seasons. pic.twitter.com/rCwG4Ofwcc
— Hurricane Athletics (@gohhshurricanes) May 26, 2019
Commissioner Hart asked the girls if this year or the year before was “easier,” to which sophomore Sophie Futchko responded 2018 was the easier year. Last season’s win was by a wider margin, 5-0 over Westminster High School, than the 2-0 win over Chesapeake this year. Senior pitcher Tori Fletcher, who was not present for the proclamation, led the Hurricanes in their shutout victory after allowing only three hits. The four-year starting pitcher for Huntingtown received first team All-Met (top players in DC-Metro area) honors and will be pitching at Lehigh University (division I) next spring.
The proclamation from the commissioners paid “tribute to the dedication, many long hours of practice, fine performance, and accomplishments” of the team and wished them “sincere congratulations” and “continued success.”
The back-to-back state champs finished the season ranked first in the DC-Metro area (per Washington Post rankings), first in the state (MaxPreps) and 14 in the nation (MaxPreps). The team looks to three-peat for the second time in program history in 2020.
Contact Jerold at staffwriter@thebaynet.com.