Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
It was quite a busy night for the Madison County High School (MCHS) athletic program on Friday, March 5, as the Cowboys baseball program, the Cowgirls softball program and the Cowgirls flag football teams were all in action.
The MCHS Cowgirls flag football teams squared off against the Lady Cougars of Godby High School, from Tallahassee. In the junior varsity game, the Cowgirls shut out the Lady Cougars, 12-0. Then, in the varsity game, a hard-fought defensive struggle ensued as the Cowgirls and Lady Cougars finished regulation in a 7-7 tie, sending the game into overtime. Neither team was able to punch the ball into the end-zone during the first overtime. The game moved on to a second overtime. During double-overtime, the Lady Cougars managed to score an unanswered touchdown to win the contest, 14-7.
Across the way, at Cowboy field, the Cowboys were taking on a rival from across the state line as they tangled with the Wildcats of Valdosta High School. It was an exciting baseball game as the Cowboys defeated the Wildcats, 8-5. It was the second win of the season for the Cowboys, who improved their season record to a 2-4 mark. The Cowboys went up early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Cowboys added another run in the bottom half of the second inning. The Wildcats got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run with one out. The Cowboys made their way out of that inning without any further damage. The Wildcats scored another run in the top of the fifth inning to tighten the score to 3-2. The Cowboys rebounded with a three-run fifth inning. The Wildcats tightened the score again with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Cowboys were able to add a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, then held the Wildcats scoreless in the top of the seventh; ending the game with a dramatic double-play from Mike Mobley at third across the infield to Gavin Bass at first.
Mitch Rutherford went one-for-three at the plate with one RBI. Rhett Rutherford was one-for-one in the batter's box with one RBI. Tyrece Pryor had one hit in his four at-bats, bringing in one run. Mobley went one-for-four at the plate with one RBI. Kyler Richie had the hot bat for the Cowboys, going two-for-three at the plate with a single RBI.
J.D. Bryan picked up the win for the Cowboys, pitching 5.2 innings, giving up seven hits, two earned runs and walking two, while striking out six. Parker Copeland was credited with the save, pitching the final 1.1 innings, yielding two hits, two walks and fanning two batters.
At the same time, over on Cowgirl Field, the Cowgirls were playing the Lady Seminoles of Florida High. For the second game in a row, the Cowgirls registered a shut-out with impressive defensive play, defeating the Lady Seminoles 6-0. The Cowgirls went out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning. The Cowgirls added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning before capping it off with one more run in the fourth.
Halie Wetherington went one-for-three at the plate with one RBI. Brianna Thompson had two hits in her three trips to the plate, bringing in one run. Carter Gore went two-for-three with two RBIs and another homer to her credit.
Josie Driggers went the distance in the pitcher's circle, giving up just two hits and four walks, with five strike-outs.
Friday, March 12, will be another big night on Boot Hill with more action all around. The junior varsity flag football team starts everything off at 5:30 p.m. with a game against the junior varsity Lady Raiders of Rickards High School, from Tallahassee. That game will be followed by the varsity contest between MCHS and Rickards. The flag football games will take place at Boot Hill Stadium. The MCHS Cowboys varsity baseball team will face Altha High School at Cowboy Field at 6 p.m. The Cowgirls varsity softball team will face the Red Flashes of Hilliard High School at Cowgirl Field at 7 p.m. All three venues are on the MCHS campus.