Lady Warriors look to learn from mistakes after region loss
Gordon Central drops 10-1 game to Pepperell after competing in early innings
Gordon Central took a 10-1 loss on Tuesday in Region 7-AA play against Pepperell, and when many will look at that as a lopsided defeat, the Lady Warriors and coach Maddie Burns are hoping it is a lesson and experience that will pay off later in the season.
The Lady Warriors (1-5, 1-2) were competitive for much of the game, but a few mistakes and big hits from Pepperell made the deficit a little more out of reach. The Lady Dragons (3-1, 2-1) scored two runs in the second before adding four onto their lead in the fourth with some big two- out hits as Gordon Central couldn’t close the door on the inning. They then added two runs in each of the fifth and seventh innings to take complete control of the game.
Burns said her team made costly mistakes at the worst times, but they are staying positive and hoping to learn from them.
“I’m surprisingly excited to walk away from a 10-1 loss,” said Burns. “This team doesn’t give up, and we are here to help each other this year. These girls keep each other up no matter what mistakes we make, and they stay positive and move to the next play.
“Unfortunately, it seems like every time we make an error it’s when the other team has baserunners on. We’ve got to work on that and work on closing the door when we get two outs. We’re still a young team, and these girls need some more experience.”
Gordon Central had a few chances to get back in the game early, including loading the bases with just one out in the second as they trailed 2-0, but Pepperell’s Anna Cowan worked out of the jam with no damage done. Cowan worked out of multiple jams in the contest as she went the distance for the Lady Dragons, pitching seven innings for the win and giving up one run on six hits while striking out six.
“When (Anna) got in a few jams today, she stood her ground and got out of them,” said Pepperell coach Jeff Rickman. “Our pitching and defense did a great job today. I think the kids behind her playing good defense really settled Anna down and let her pitch confidently. And we always talk about finishing what we started so we want to keep adding runs and add to our lead. That also helps the pitcher relax when she gets that kind of run support.”
Pepperell got big offensive days from Sydnie Edwards, Maycy Owens and Grace Hufford in the middle of the lineup as they each had three hits apiece. Hufford had a triple and three RBIs, and Edwards and Owens each had a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Baylee Wright got the offensive effort started in the second with a tworun homer, which was one of her two hits on the day, and Kaylee Mansell also had two hits. Dahlia Sanford added an RBI.
The Gordon Central lineup had a solid day at the plate with six different players contributing hits, but they were unable to sustain any rallies to mount a charge and get back in the game once they got down on the scoreboard. Sam Jordan had a hit and an RBI, and Cheyenne Temple scored and walked in the contest. Montana Slaughter, Dalyn Muse, Mackenzie Hall, Morgan Frank and Jada Jaco also added hits.
Frank took the loss in the circle. She went 5 1-3 innings and gave up eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits while striking out two. She kept her team within striking distance until Pepperell had their four-run fourth and then added two more in the sixth. Destiny Parker came on to pitch 1 2-3 innings of relief as she allowed two runs on two hits.
Burns said the game could have gone in a different direction if her team had gotten a few clutch hits, but that is just part of the learning process they are going through.
“I’ve told the girls as a pitcher that when it is a 3-2 count, the stress is on the pitcher,” said Burns. “We bailed them out several times by swinging at pitches we shouldn’t have. That’s where our youth comes in. The girls want to get a hit so bad, they take themselves out of it by swinging at stuff we shouldn’t. We did make some adjustments later in the game, but it just didn’t go our way.
“I think our girls are ready to step up to the challenge. These girls want to be a part of the culture change at Gordon Central too. There is no complaining about working, and we need to learn from our mistakes. Hopefully, that will pay off later on in the season.”
Gordon Central was at home again on Thursday to host Armuchee. (For details on that game, see Wednesday’s Calhoun Times.) They host Christian Heritage for a non-region contest on Monday at 5:30 p.m.