Summerville rallies late to earn 6-3 win over Byrnes and claim AAAAA Division I softball state title

Summerville Rallies Late To Earn A 6-3 Win Over Byrnes To Win the Div. I AAAAA Softball Title 

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Summerville—Senior shortstop Katie Guilliam led off with a home run as the first Green Wave batter against Byrnes, in the first inning of game two of the Div. I AAAAA softball series on May 17, and she will also remember her single in the bottom of the sixth that drove in two runs that helped Summerville defeat the Rebels 6-3, earning the Green Wave their third state title in recent years.

Guilliam, headed to Missouri on a softball scholarship, told the HSSR after the game. “She pitched me on the inside every time I batted in game one, so I knew what was coming,” said Guilliam. “I timed it out right and got a good level swing, so it was great to help give my team early momentum.”

Then in the sixth inning her single brought in two runs with the game still in doubt.” I just loving playing the game, and I am a very humble player so anytime I can help my team win a game, that’s my goal,” she said. “I have been on the varsity for six years now and I am proud to have been apart of all three state titles we won.

“Being a senior, this one is very special, especially after last year the way we lost in game three in the state finals,” said Guilliam. “This is the way I wanted to go out. This one felt good.”

For the game Guilliam went 3-of-4 with three RBI’s to lead the Green Wave.

Summerville head coach Heather Tucker was very proud of her team after the game. “Katie Guilliam, what a stud,” said Coach Tucker. “She has been playing on the varsity since the 7^th grade. She is a tough kid, and I love her approach to the game.

“She is a grinder who puts so much work and effort into the sport,” said Coach Tucker. “She always comes through when she is on the big stage.”

Tucker said it was no doubt in her mind that the best two teams in Div. I AAAAA softball were the Green Wave and Byrnes. Summerville won game one in Duncan 6-5 in a game that took 9 innings. “That first game was a battle on the road and it was a tough game no doubt,” said Coach Tucker. “We got home at 4:30 am Tuesday morning and we got ready that afternoon to get ready for this game. It was a team effort and a great team win.”   

Coach Tucker also praised the play of senior pitcher Daphne Grady, headed to North Greenville. “She stepped up this year as our pitcher and she wanted the ball in her hand every game and we gave it to her,” said Coach Tucker. “She worked hard and put in the extra time to give us strong pitching all season. I am super proud of her.”

Grady had well over 300 strikeouts for the season setting a new record for one season at Summerville. Coach Tucker also cited the play of CF Jayden Bennett, and she praised ay f senior Delaney Hayes who rejoined the team for her senior year, after not playing since junior varsity.”

  Summerville won state softball titles back in 2023 and 2024. Coach Tucker also won a title as a player at Stratford back in 1996.

Byrnes head coach Brandi Aiken was super proud of her team’s effort after the game.

“Our games with Summerville have always been competitive, and we gave it our all tonight,” said Coach Aiken. “I am very proud of the entire team, but we are going to miss our three starting seniors, right fielder Memorie Melton, pitcher Peyton Crutcher, and our third baseman Haven Holmes.

“We started two 8^th graders tonight (OF Addie Durrah & SS Garrison Aiken), so we are a young team in many respects,” said Coach Aiken. “Our goal will always be to compete for a state tile and our players will continue working hard towards that goal.”

Summerville had 10 hits for the game. Behind Guilliam was Bennett who had a hit and made two really nice catches in center field. Frady had a hit and two RBI’s and Maeven Moreno had a hit and played solid defense. Summer Knight had a hit along with Hayes and RF Haylee Sexton also contributed a hit.

In the circle, Frady went all seven innings, allowed 10 hits, with four strikeouts.

Byrnes also collected 10 hits in the evenly matched game. Melton, who has a strong arm in RF, led the Rebels going 3-of-4 with a double. Addy Waters had a hit and one RBI, while Durrah also had one hit and one RBI. Aiken, a superb defensive shortstop for an 8^th grader, had two hits and sophomore left fielder Bayleigh Murray had two hits, including a double.

In the circle, Crutcher worked all six innings, allowed 10 hits, and had four strikeouts.