Lady Panthers win softball tournament
Staff report
The Stigler Lady Panthers won the Eufaula fastpitch softball tournament, which was conducted Sept. 5-7.
To win the championship, the Lady Panthers defeated the Quinton Lady Savages, Warner Lady Eagles and Eufaula Lady Ironheads (two games).
“The group played great the entire tournament! These girls are as unselfish a group as I have ever had. They just want to win, and whatever they are asked to do, they do it for the team. I am so happy for them, they deserved it,” said coach Chris Parker.
The team made only one defensive error in the four tournament games, coach Parker said. In addition, Dara Hamlin, the team’s pitcher, had 29 strikeouts and only six walks during the tournament.
Special thanks to Jennifer Oldham for providing the following highlights of the four games in the tournament
Game 1
Stigler Lady Panthers vs. Quinton Lady Savages
Tied up with one run each in the fifth when the time limit expired, these teams go into extra innings. Each team is allowed to place a runner at second base during their turn at bats. The sixth inning came and went without a single run scored by either team. Top of the seventh inning, Quinton scores three runs. With the Lady Panthers being certain of defeat in the bottom of the seventh, they rally to score three runs, tieing the game again. The top of the eighth came and went with three up and three down. The Lady Savages were unable to score. The bottom of the eighth, the Lady Panthers were able to advance their runner, allowing themselves to score and clench the win. Final score - Stigler Lady Panthers 5, and the Quinton Lady Savages 4.
Game 2
Stigler Lady Panthers vs. Warner Lady Eagles
The Lady Panthers then moved on to face the Warner Lady Eagles in Game 2. With temperatures around 100 degrees, the Stigler Lady Panthers maintained their “can do” spirits as they took the field to face the Lady Eagles.
With freshman pitcher Dara Hamlin on the mound, Stigler only allowed the Lady Eagles to score three runs. Hamlin had five strikeouts and walked none during the three innings played, only allowing four hits total.
The Lady Panthers collected 16 hits throughout the game, scoring 13 of those hits. With a final score of Stigler 13, Warner 3, the Lady Panthers continued in the winners bracket with game 3 set for Friday at 1 p.m.
Game 3
Eufaula Lady Ironheads vs. Stigler Lady Panthers
Knowing the Lady Ironheads had the home field advantage the Lady Panthers came out strong, scoring two in the first inning with senior Cass Suggs and freshman Dara Hamlin both scoring, and scored two more runs in the third inning.
The Lady Panthers clenched another victory with freshman Dara Hamlin on the plate throwing a shutou,t allowing only two hits which were quickly thrown to senior first baseman Savannah Seymour for the out.
The Lady Panthers tallied eight hits for the day with Hamlin and senior Taryn Honeycutt each with two hits to lead the team in hits for the day. The Lady Panthers did not commit a single error. Senior catcher Bailee Valoria having the most chances in the field with eight.
In game 3, they defeated the Eufaula Lady Ironheads, 4-0. The Lady Panthers advanced to day 3 in the winners bracket.
Game 4
Eufaula Lady Ironheads vs. Stigler Lady Panthers
Eufaula Lady Ironheads would not give up so easily as they beat the Quinton Lady Savages at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, allowing them to play for the championship against the Lady Panthers.
However, the Lady Panthers never faltered maintaining their winning attitudes. The fans packed the stands and watched eagerly as the game began.
The Lady Ironheads scored first putting the pressure on the Lady Panthers. With the score at 0-1 going into the bottom of the first, the Lady Panthers prepared to hit. Stigler would rack up seven hits and score three runs in the first inning. The Lady Panthers would not give up their lead and finished the game in the seventh inning with a final score of 8-3, taking the win.
Final stats
The Lady Panthers tallied 16 hits altogether, with Chloee Smith, Lainey Wilson, Cass Suggs, Taryn Honeycutt and Savannah Seymour all managing multiple hits.
C. Smith lead the team in hits going 4-4 at the plate. The Lady Panthers did not have a single error on the field.
The Stigler Lady Panthers went 4 for 4 in the tournament, winning first place and bringing home a beautiful, well-earned trophy to prove it.
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Seniors with trophy
Submitted photo/Jennifer Oldham
Left to right, Bailee Valoria, Savannah Seymour, Cass Suggs and Taryn Honeycutt.
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Team with trophy
Submitted photo/Jennifer Oldham
Stigler Lady Panthers fast pitch softball team members proudly display the trophy they received after winning the 2019 Softball Tournament at Lake Eufaula. Team members include: Savannah Seymour #14, Cass Suggs #6, Taryn Honeycutt #10, Bailee Viloria #21, Mea Townley #15, Lainey Wilson #9, Jaclyn Green #3, Kyla Brewer #2, London Sandlin #20/23, Madison Wood #11, Erin Cook #1, Quinn Williams #7, Chloee Smith #4, Saylee Smith #8 and Dara Hamlin #12.