Rick Patrick: rick@greenepublishing.com
The Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowgirls varsity softball team ended their final week before spring break on a mixed note at Cowgirl Field.
On Thursday, March 11, the Cowgirls tangled with the Lady Trojans of Lincoln High School, from Tallahassee. The Cowgirls faced some fierce pitching as the Cowgirls had 15 strike-outs out of 16 at bats. The Cowgirls only managed one hit, a double by Carter Gore in the bottom of the fourth inning. That was the brightest moment of the game for the Cowgirls, who were shut-out, 13-0.
Shea Thompson and Halie Wetherington combined efforts in the pitcher's circle for the Cowgirls, giving up 12 hits, six earned runs and eight walks. The Cowgirl pitchers struck out five batters.
Then, on Friday, March 12, the Cowgirls' spirits were raised when they faced the Red Flashes of Hilliard High School. Perhaps one thing that brightened their outlook was the pre-game announcement that one of their own, Wetherington, had been named the Valedictorian at MCHS. This is quite an accomplishment for any student and one worthy of special recognition. Once game time rolled around, the two teams seemed to be rather evenly matched. The score was tied at one run apiece after two innings. Then, in the bottom of the third, Gore hit a sac-fly that brought Josie Driggers in for the go ahead run. The Cowgirls found more offensive success with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. After giving up two runs in the top of the fifth inning, the Cowgirls responded with a line drive solo home-run by Shea Thompson that easily sailed over the center-field fence in the bottom of the sixth. The Cowgirls would score another run on a fielder's choice that would bring Driggers home again. In the top of the seventh inning, Wetherington fanned two batters and made a great play on a ground ball hit to the pitcher's circle which she tossed to an awaiting first baseman, Shelby Burt, for the final out of the contest which sealed a 7-4 win for the Cowgirls.
Driggers went three-for-four at the plate, with three RBIs, along with a two-run homer. Gore had one hit in her single at-bat, with one RBI. Thompson had one hit in one at-bat, a solo home run, good for one RBI.
In the pitcher's circle, Driggers picked up the win, going six innings, yielding seven hits, four earned runs, four walks and four strike-outs. Wetherington came in to relieve Driggers in the final inning to get the save and striking out two batters.
The Cowgirls have been on spring break, but will be back in action when they face the Lady Trojans of Hamilton County High School on Tuesday, March 23, at Cowgirl Field. The junior varsity game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity match at 7:30 p.m.
