Crescent softball program claims state title No. 20, first in 13 years

Crescent softball program claims state title No. 20

Hanahan -- There’s nothing special in the water in Iva which magically helps Crescent High School’s softball program find success. It’s just a sense of family and culture - and a bunch of tough kids - that keeps the Tigers shining on the diamond spring after spring.

Tigers head coach Jeff Craft had plenty of words of praise for his squad after it rallied for a 12-7 victory over Hanahan on Thursday, May 28, at the HHS field in the AAA state championship series, securing another state crown for the traditional power with a 2-game sweep of the Hawkettes.

The title was the 20th overall for the program, but the first in 13 years.

“We’ve been behind in seven of eight playoff games and just battled back and haven’t lost a one,” said Craft, whose team finished 29-4 for the season. “It’s just what they do. Every time they get behind, you see no fear… They never believe they’re out of a game. You saw that tonight. They refused to make an out in the seventh inning.”

The Tigers plated seven runs in the top of the seventh to pull away from the home team. Earlier, Crescent trailed 4-0 and 7-3 but kept chipping away to get within striking distance going into its final set of hacks. The Tigers recorded five hits in the seventh, including a 2-run single off the bat of pitcher Mikayla Rodney with one out that broke a 7-7 tie.

In all, Crescent sent 13 batters to the plate in the final frame. Craft’s only advice to his team was, ‘Don’t anybody make the last out.’

“We really don’t have to say much to them,” Craft said. “... It’s just a sense of calm. They always believe they’ve got a chance. Our girls just hit the ball. One though nine can hit it. They have a no-quit attitude.”

Rodney, CF Kayleigh Rouse, SS Juju Owens and 1B Ashlyn Parker collected two hits apiece for the Tigers, while Rodney knocked in three runs. Parker and C Rylee Dotson drove in a pair each. Parker pulled the Tigers within 7-6 on a single to centerfield and LF Savanna Rudder evened it up, 7-7, with a sacrifice fly to left field. After Rodney’s two-out, two-run single, RP Reyna Parker made it 10-7 with a single to left field. Dotson, who also blasted a solo homer in the top of the fifth, was then plunked with the bases loaded to force in another run and Ashlyn Parker capped the rally with an RBI infield single.

Senior lefty Reyna Parker, who hadn’t seen much action in the past couple months, came on in relief to secure the win for the Tigers. She allowed just one hit in 2.2 scoreless innings with one strikeout.

CF Briar Mros, 2B Dria Tolbert, C Emma McGowan and 3B Carter Koch each had two hits for Hanahan, which finished the season with a 22–9 mark. SS Camryn Fowler knocked in two runs.

Crescent also rallied in Game 1in Iva, scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 9-8 victory.

“It’s just our community,” Craft said. “Our community embraces it. You saw the crowd we brought down here tonight. They just embrace it. Our kids start playing at 4 or 5 years old and for a lot of them their goal is to play for Crescent High School. It all started with Gary and Kathy Adams. He won 19 (state titles). It’s just a culture that he started.”

The Tigers have three seniors and 10 juniors on the roster. In addition to Reyna Parker, second baseman Topanga Ethridge and third baseman Madi Burdette graduate for the Tigers.

“We’re going to miss those three seniors,” Craft said. “We’re not where we are without them. They work as hard as anybody.”

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