The Calhoun Lady Jackets built up quite a bit of momentum as they battled out of the loser’s bracket last week at the 6-AAA Tournament to win their fourth straight region title.
And they carried that right over into the Class AAA State Tournament first round as they had few problems dispatching of Dawson County to advance to the Sweet 16.
Calhoun (29-3) scored six first-inning runs in Game 1 and coasted to a 14-2 win in that one, and then started a little slower in Game 2 before adding nine runs to a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning to roll to a 12-0 win to punch their ticket to the next round.
Calhoun coach Diane Smith said her team did everything they needed to do in their first playoff action.
“The first inning of Game 1 was an awesome way to start off, scoring those six runs, and that really set the tone for the night,” said Smith. “Everyone hit the ball well. The girls were fired up to play. They’ve been itching to play and get this state tournament started. It was a total team effort, too. Everyone did their job, and we’re happy to be one step closer to Columbus.”
The Lady Jackets racked up a total of 34 hits in the two wins, balancing it out with 17 in each. In Game 1, three different players had three hits apiece, led by Emily Weatherman who fell a homer short of the cycle, driving in four runs on her three hits, including a double and a triple. She also scored two runs. The top two batters in the lineup, Ryan Brzozoski and Ashlyn Barnes also did their job to set the table with three hits apiece. Barnes had a triple among her hits, an RBI and two runs scored, and Brzozoski had a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Jana Johns, Maddie Bumgardner and Allie Jones had two hits apiece with Jones driving in a run, and Maddie Clay added a double and three RBIs. Emily Mitchell and Chloe Rice also drove in a run apiece.
Mitchell was even better in the circle, pitching three innings and giving up just one hit while striking out four to earn the win. Tori Gaddis finished off the four-inning victory with an inning of relief, giving up two runs on two hits and striking out two.
Game 2 featured more offensive fireworks for the Lady Jackets, including a perfect 4-for-4 effort and two RBIs from Barnes. Weatherman continued her big day with three more hits, including two doubles and a homer, and three RBIs, and Rice and Brzozoski also had three hits apiece, each with a double, and Rice driving in two.
Tori Roper had three-run homer in Game 2 as well, and Johns had a hit and an RBI. Jones and Cassie Henderson also had a hit and a run scored.
Kinsey Liscio got the start and went four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three to earn the win. Kayla Watson pitched the final inning of scoreless relief.
An added bonus of the big leads Calhoun was able to build in both games was that Smith got to empty her bench and get some valuable postseason experience for the backups and younger players. She said it was a good night all around.
“I told them at practice that if I got the chance, I would get them all in there, and we got a good lead so that allowed me to do so,” said Smith. “I feel good about everyone of our players, and I like to get them in there when I can. This was a good shot to do that. Going forward as the competition gets tougher, we don’t know how many more opportunities we’ll have to do that.”
The Lady Jackets advance to play Jackson, who swept Laney on Wednesday in the first round. Smith said her team is right on track to accomplish what they set out to do from the first practice.
“We’re one step closer,” said Smith. “We took care of business tonight, and we’re one step away from achieving our goal of getting to Columbus for the Elite Eight. Our ultimate goal is to win another state title.”
Calhoun will have a few days off before their secondround series as they will host the doubleheader next Wednesday starting at 5 p.m.