On Wednesday, May 13, the Lady Cats pulled out a victory after a nail-biter back-and-forth match against Fort Walton Beach. After a quiet first inning, Fort Walton added the first run of the inning at the top of second, maintaining control for the first three innings. But then in the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Cats caught fire adding five of their own on three separate hits including a double made by Baleigh Shields that drove in two runs. This inning pushed the Cats into the lead 2-5 when Fort Walton tied it up with three more runs of their own at the top of the sixth.
Both teams fielded the ball strongly, making the final two innings much more nerve-racking. At the end of the seventh, the game was still tied, and the players officially prepared for another inning to try and break ahead. Fort Walton started and failed to respond, leaving the next chance for a win and out at the hands of the Lady Cats. Sadye Harvey moves to second base, parking it there through another strikeout before Mallory Jackson takes the box. Then, a sacrifice fly to left field makes room for Harvey to run all the way home, scoring the final run of the evening and allowing the Cats to secure the victory.
But then it was heartbreak in Columbia County on Thursday, May 14, as the Lady Cats faced the Tigers in the Regional championship. Both teams managed to keep scoring at a minimum in the first few innings, but soon fate gave way, and the Tigers managed to capitalize on a few freebies, closing the game out with a 6-2 victory over Baker.
Innings one and two were quiet, with both teams fielding solidly, keeping either team from scoring. Then, in the top of the third, Baker struck first after Nasia Green forced an error, allowing Jackson and Shields to run home.
But, after the promise was made, the rest of the game fell to Columbia, where they swiftly -tied it up in the bottom of the second and then added four more runs between the fifth and the sixth.
From the mound, Grace Masterson and Gabriella Gray each shared space, with Masterson going three and one-third innings, giving up four hits and four runs while walking three and striking out three. Gray pitched in relief over two and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and walking one.
Besides the struggles at bat, another enemy, however, seemed to show up on the field: officiating. Though in every game the losing side could make an argument that calls didn’t go their way, in this observer’s opinion, there did seem to be a rather large tilt against the Lady Cats regarding a couple of spotty calls made by the umps. One in particular was a foul ball caught by third baseman Shields that was overruled for interference by the dugout. Interestingly enough, the same call was ignored in favor of the Tigers when an on-deck player also interfered with a foul earlier in the game.
This was just one example of many missed or overlooked calls that could have swung the scoreboard in a different direction throughout the evening.
Regardless, Head Coach Kylee Canaday showed her professionalism when asked about the game, instead highlighting the valiant effort the girls displayed in Thursday’s game and throughout the season.
“It’s always heartbreaking to lose a big game, especially when there were so many different scenarios that took place that could have easily changed the momentum of it,” said Canaday. “I honestly can not say enough about my team this year, though. To go 24-3 on the year is something to be proud of. We have fought back in so many games and come out on top. Thursday night just wasn’t in the cards for us.”
As for the pitching duo, Canaday remarked on how exceptional their play has been all season.
“Once again, [they] gave everything they had,” she explained. “Grace and GG have been such a great team this year. And to know they are only a sophomore and a freshman makes the future extremely bright for the Cats in the circle.”
As for the outgoing seniors, Canaday was equally impressed.
“I can not say enough about this senior group and the impact they have made on Wildcat softball,” said Canaday. “Baleigh Shields, Nasia Green, Chloe Johnson, Sadye Harvey, Mallory Jackson, Masyn Barlow, and Lindsay Craddock have given so much to this program and to me as a coach. To say I will miss them is an understatement, but to know the impact those seven kids are going to make in their next chapter of life is something I can not wait to sit back and watch.”
With the season officially over, the Cats can enjoy a well-deserved break before the next season’s roster forms, and the team picks back up. For Canaday, her focus will be continuing this season’s success and prepping the new athletes as they join the ranks.
“We are still bringing back a lot of returners and some young kids from the JV team that I believe will bring a lot of talent to the varsity level,” she explained. “These Cats will be back next season, competing and striving to reach the ultimate goal of another state championship. Go Cats!”