their entire summer sweating and practicing and playing hard only to feel the sting of realization that their season was over. The game itself forced them to work and play hard, but in the end, they all knew it was their love of the game of softball that spirited their motivation to play and not the other way around. With a 17 and 13 win/loss record and a second place finish in two other tournaments, the ladies should all feel proud of their accomplishments. Their hard work and perseverance certainly paid dividends.
The Summer-Ending Finale started off with a bang as the Cats took on and beat the eventual tournament champion Cumberland Heat by a score of 8-6. The start of the game however, was not so exciting as the Lady Cats let the Heat take the drivers seat and score 3 unanswered runs on numerous errors and miscues. Just when the opposing team's fans and spectators expected the Cats to withdraw their claws and quit, the momentum swung the Cat's way. As was the case in every game they played this season, the girls didn't give up as they battled back to take a 5-4 lead. The Cats used the run deficit to motivate their bats as they banged out 11 hits and tightened up their defense to shut the Heat down for the remainder of the game. Hitting stars were Brittany with 3 hits and 3 RBI's, Kelly with 2 hits and 3 rbi's and Mel and Gabby with 2 hits and 1 RBI each. Brianna took the circle and masterfully handled the Heat as she struck out 4 while only allowing 4 hits and a walk.
Game three had the Panthers in a cat-fight against the Free State Fury, a team many felt would go on to win the tournament. The Fury proved to be a very solid foe who made their money playing "small ball" as they slap-hit and bunted their way to a 8-1 lead early in the game. Although the Lady Cats knew what was coming, they seemed powerless to stop the Fury attack. Adding injury to insult, the Panthers were getting robbed of some well hit balls that just seemed to be hit right at Fury fielders. But, as we all know, the Lady Cats enjoy a good fight as much as the next team and decided to make the game exciting by scratching out 10 hits against a very good Fury pitcher to close the gap to within 3 runs. Time was against the Panthers in this one however, as the Cats eventually fell 9-6, but not without a fantastic team effort that made their coaches and fans proud. Hitting stars were Mel, Gab and Brianna. Mel and Gab each had 2 hits apiece and 1 RBI while one of Gabby's hits was launched into a booming triple. Brianna chipped in with a monstrous 2-run triple of her own to add to the scoring.
12-2 win while banging out 13 hits. All year long the Cat's fans watched as Gabby put on hitting displays game after game and this game was no different except in this game she launched two mammoth missiles over the 181 foot outfield fence. Gab's powerful bat seemed to spark her teammates into a hitting frenzy as well as Mel and Sarah joined in too add 2 hits apiece. Sarah put on a hitting show of her own with a double and a booming triple that landed at the base of the outfield fence. Jelly and Megan K. took the circle and combined to shut down the All-star's bats as they limited them to only 3 hits while striking out 6 hitters. The girls were now primed to take on their next opponent.
Game five came and went with a 8-2 Cumberland Heat victory, as the Cat's bats went cold. The girls all made contact against the Heat pitcher, and many were well hit shots, but it just seemed as if the Heat defense was in the right place at the right time as they robbed the Panthers of any chance to muster an offensive threat. Hitting stars were Brianna and Sarah with 2 hits apiece. This loss brought the Lady Cat's season to an end but everyone associated with this team felt good about what the girls accomplished over the course of the season.
The coaches and parents are all very proud of the girls and we all look forward to what next season may bring. Lady Cats, you are WINNERS!!!
