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Lady Wolverines capture another district crown

By C.R. Cumbee

Staff Writer

Turbeville—It’s not surprising to be this late in the softball season and still see East Clarendon playing.  The Lady Wolverines put together another great regular season, finishing 16-3 overall and 10-0 in conference play.

Head coach Lisa Ard’s team cruised through the district playoffs, shutting out Lake View 10-0 in the opening round and Allendale-Fairfax, 13-0, in the next game.  They advanced to the Lower state Final Four with a 5-3 win over Lake View in the district title game.

“This group has the experience, but more importantly, the attitude.  They go out there and give 100 percent and get behind each other.  They decide what they want to do and go out there and do it.  They’re ready to play every game and they’re going to fight until the end.  There’s no quit in them,” Ard said.

East Clarendon has used a combination of three pitchers throughout the year, with each getting work throughout the game.  Kaitlin Alexander is 10-2 as a starter with a 0.83 earned run average and 36 strikeouts.  Brooklyn Fort usually enters in the third inning and has 33 strikeouts and a 0.93 ERA.  Leslie Altman is the third member of the trio, registering a 1.25 ERA and 33 punchouts.

“We’ve done it every game.  The girls have been fine with it.  They come in, are strong for two innings and don’t get tired, and then they rotate.  All three of them back each other up and keep each other going.  I try to work it where the batters don’t get to see the pitcher twice,” Ard said.

At the plate, Altman leads the team with a .500 average, followed by Alexus Watford at .460, Fort at .432 and Whit-Lee Barrett at .417.

“Last year our offense really slowed down at the end of the season, especially at Lower state.  I’m hoping we’re starting to kick it gear now and keep hitting the way we have the last week.  We’ve played solid defense, but the biggest worry is keeping that offense going,” Ard said.

The Lady Wolverines will face Green Sea-Floyds in the opening round of the Lower state tournament, beginning May 5.

 

us to play well," said coach Coker. "Our region is not the strongest so we did not have a lot of tough matches but we have worked hard in practice."
    The fifth ranked Lady Wolverines entered the playoffs with a 16-2 record and on a 12 match winning streak. The region VII A champions started Monday's match a little slow but with the score tied at 17 they went on an 8-2 run to close out the game. Junior outside hitter Kristen McElveen scored five straight points during the run.    
    Latta led 13-12 in the second game before Jessica Foxworth served four straight winners to give the Lady Wolverines a lead they would not relinquish as they won the second game to take a 2 games to none lead in the match.
     The Lady Wolverines jumped out early in game number three before the Lady Vikings made a come back to cut the lead to three at 22-19. Senior all state performer Louise Benton served out the game and the match.
    Libero sophomore Lexus Watford played solid defense for the Lady Wolverines. Senior outside hitter Adri Watford and senior middle blocker Erin Owens also played well.
    Dana McGee, who recently returned from an ankle injury, served well for coach Coker.
    The Lady Wolverines know to reach their goal of playing in the state championship match the will eventually have to go through perennial lower state power Johnsonville. "We know we will have to beat Johnsonville sooner or later," said coach Coker.
    First things first as region VI A runner up Hardeeville invades Turbeville on Wednesday.