Murray County?s softball team made notable progress this year after going winless in 2011, and coach Sandra Johnston believes the improvements will continue in 2013.
That still didn?t take the sting out of the Lady Indians? 1-0 loss to Pepperell in the Region 7-2A tournament on Wednesday at Alto Park in Rome.
Pepperell senior Breanna Landers? home run in the fifth inning was the difference-maker in the consolation bracket game, which secured at least a fourth-place finish ? and a spot in the Class 2A state playoffs ? for the Lady Dragons. Pepperell advanced to play for third place, but Johnston was unsure of the Lady Dragons? opponent in the next round.
Murray County (13-14) was the final team eliminated from the tournament, bringing to an end a remarkable turnaround that a young roster will try to carry over to next season. The team loses seniors Madison Wilcox and Aleshia Townsend, but has plenty of rising talent ? junior Caitlyn Sims was the only other upperclassman on this year?s roster.
?If they keep playing together, everything?s going to take care of itself,? Johnston said. ?I wanted it for them this year. I hated to see it end.?
The Lady Indians had chances to score in the game, loading the bases in both the second and seventh innings, putting two runners on in the third and one on in both the first and fifth. In the top of the seventh, Ariel Smith and Shea Pendley drew back-to-back walks and Aubrie Osborne?s two-out hit filled up the bags ? but a groundout ended the rally.
?It?s a tough loss but they need to hold their heads up, because from last year to this year, it?s 100 percent better ? more than that,? Johnston said. ?I refuse to use them being young as an excuse, but I only had two seniors and one junior, so we?ve got plenty to look forward to. I just hate to lose my seniors.?
Osborne finished 2-for-4 with a double, while Ashlee Strong added a double and Townsend had the team?s only other hit.
Whitney Gribble, a freshman, took the loss after giving up three hits, walking one and striking out four.
Johnston saluted the ?heart? her team showed in trying to rally, and said the Lady Indians? drive and willingness to play together made the biggest difference this year compared to recent seasons.
?My seniors welcomed my freshmen,? she said, ?and tried to make sure everything meshed.?
? Coahulla Creek and North Murray?s elimination games in the Region 5-3A tournament were postponed due to wet fields and rescheduled for 4 p.m. today at Jack Mattox Recreation Complex in Ringgold.
The Lady Mountaineers lost 8-3 to Gordon Central in Tuesday?s first round at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, with a four-run fourth breaking the game open.
Kara Deal went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs to lead the Lady Mountaineers (10-15), while Tori Stainton and Baylee Sutton each added a hit and scored a run.
North Murray faces Adairsville today in a consolation bracket matchup. The winner plays immediately after for a chance to clinch a Class 3A state playoffs berth. The winner of that game plays again at 8 p.m. in the third-place game
Coahulla Creek (10-17) faces the loser of Wednesday?s Gordon Central-Sonoraville game. Lady Colts coach Rhett Parrott did not know the outcome of that game when reached late Wednesday night.
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