Battle tested
Rockmart uses a late rally to escape with a Region 7-AA win over Pepperell.
Rockmart uses a late rally to escape with a Region 7-AA win over Pepperell.
For six innings Thursday, the Pepperell softball team stayed right with one of the best Class AA teams in the state. Then, in a matter of minutes, Rockmart caught fire and ran with it.
The Lady Jackets put together a four-run rally in the seventh inning and limited Pepperell’s offense as they beat the Lady Dragons 7-2 in a Region 7-AA battle in Lindale. The win keeps Rockmart undefeated and increases its lead to two games in the region standings. But while the result went to the road team, Pepperell coach Jeff Rickman was satisfied with the message his team sent.
“Those kids competed, and I am real proud of that bunch,” Rickman said. “We were able to stay with one of the best teams in the state until the final inning. We had a couple things you want back, but we competed and went toe to toe with them.”
Rockmart’s Kinsey Jones reached base three times and went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Emma Evans had a hit, a walk and two runs scored and Cambree Stanley went 2 for 4 with one RBI and one run scored.
The Lady Jackets (13-0, 7-0 7-AA) benefitted from three Pepperell errors, including two in the seventh, but their bats came alive in the final inning as well, with three two-out singles plating runs.
“Being sharp at the plate is what has carried us all year long,” Rockmart coach Steve Luke said. “And in the seventh we just finally started hitting the ball. And that came down to quality at-bats.”
Pepperell pitcher Anna Cowan and third baseman Maddie Clay each went 2 for 4 with an RBI, while Sydnie Edwards reached base twice and scored a run. In the field, Clay and Dahlia Sanford are a couple of the Lady Dragons who made plays to keep the game close for most of the game.
“I’m proud of everyone on this team. Kids made big plays and kids made big hits,” Rickman said. “Anna pitched a great game, but the defense behind her helped out too. So there’s not a single girl I’m not proud of.”
Cowan made efficient work of Rockmart’s powerful lineup, allowing only six hits in the first six innings. The Lady Jackets churned out three runs off of those hits, but the Lady Dragons (7-2, 4-2) countered with runs in the second and fourth.
Rockmart pitcher Emily Loveless got out of trouble inning after inning as Pepperell left runners in scoring position in three of the first
four innings, scoring only two runs in that span.
Thursday’s outcome only solidified what Luke hopes this season will bring out of his team as they continue on and aim to make it deep into the postseason once again.
“This has been the toughest schedule we’ve had since I’ve been the coach,” Luke said. “This year, we’re doing what we can to be prepared. I couldn’t care less what our record is.”
Both teams will take a break from region play next as Pepperell visits Rome on Wednesday while Rockmart travels to Cedartown.