Lady Jackets battle, but fall short of title
Calhoun denied fourth straight title in Columbus
— The storybook ending for Calhoun softball just wasn’t to be on Saturday.
After battling back through the loser’s bracket by winning two do-ordie games on Friday and two more on Saturday to reach the Class AAA finals, the Lady Jackets were denied a fourth straight state title with a 5-2 loss to East Jackson to finish as runners-up.
Calhoun (39-3) took an early 1-0 lead in the game, but East Jackson tied it with a run in the third and then had the decisive frame in the fourth when they scored the eventual three game-winning runs. The Lady Jackets had a few chances to get back into the game but stranded runners at critical times.
Calhoun coach Diane Smith said she was obviously disappointed for the team and her players but still proud of the way they fought after their loss to open the Elite Eight on Thursday to Cook County.
“This is definitely not the way we wanted or expected it to go, but I still think we are the best team in AAA...but sometimes the best team doesn’t win,” said Smith. “When you get in the loser’s bracket and have to come back to try to win six games in a row in two days, it’s really tough. I think the girls were physically and mentally drained. But I’m very proud of the way they battled.”
In the loss to East Jackson, Ashlyn Barnes was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and Maddie Bumgardner, Allie Jones and Chloe Rice all had hits as well. Torri Gaddis pitched well but took the toughluck loss after going all seven innings and giving up five runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out three.
East Jackson’s Jessie Marvin was the key player for her team in their win as she went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and also pitched a complete game for the win. She went seven innings and gave up two runs on four hits while striking out eight. Lauren Barrett had a hit and two RBIs, and Gracie Wilber drove in a run with a hit. Faith Grooms also had two hits and two runs scored.
Saturday started with Calhoun needing four wins to earn their fourth straight state title, and they got halfway there by avenging their earlier loss to Cook County with a 12-4 win and then defeating Pike County 7-2 to leave the Lady Jackets and East Jackson as the last two teams standing in Class AAA. Calhoun would’ve had to defeat Lady Eagles twice to earn the state crown as they were unbeaten in three games in Columbus.
Against Cook County, Calhoun scored in all five innings of the mercy-rule shortened victory. Jones was a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, Cassie Henderson had three hits, including a double, with an RBI and Alaina Reece had two hits and two RBIs. Ashlyn Barnes, Ryan Brzozoski and Erin Barnes all had two hits and an RBI apiece with Ashlyn having a triple. Carlie Henderson had two hits and two runs scored, and Jana Johns had a double and two RBIs.
Gaddis earned the win by going five innings and giving up four runs (three earned) on three hits while striking out one.
The Lady Jackets then kept the momentum going against Pike County. They fell behind 2-0 after one inning but quickly tied the game with two runs in the second. They added five runs over the next four innings to make the difference.
Johns had a twohit effort, including a two-run homer. Ashlyn Barnes, Jones and Cassie Henderson all had two hits and an RBI apiece, Reece and Carlie Henderson both contributed two hits, Brzozoski had a hit and an RBI and Chloe Rice drove in a run. Erin Barnes also had a double.
Kayla Watson pitched a complete game for the win, going seven innings and giving up two runs on eight hits while striking out one. After allowing the two runs in the opening inning, she shut Pike County down from there with the help of some great defense behind her.