The varsity softball team defeated the Anderson Trojans 9-1 on April 17 at Noack Fields in a tiebreaker game to secure the final playoff spot from District 24-5A.
“Everyone had really good energy the entire time,” junior Zara Cacci said. “Probably because it was the deciding game for if we went to playoffs or not.”
The game was the third district meeting between the two teams. They had split their earlier matchups and finished tied at 7-7 in district play, prompting the neutral-site tiebreaker.
Cacci said the team had come in well-prepared.
“We’ve been doing a lot of hitting,” she said. “We know their pitcher is faster than a lot of pitchers we’ve faced this year, so we have been focusing on that a lot.”
The team scored one run in the top of the first inning and added three more in the second. On defense, pitcher Natalie Myrick struck out the side in the second inning, totaling five strikeouts in the first two innings.
“I’m really proud of the team—we did great—and I’m proud of my pitches tonight,” Myrick said. “I feel like I did well and could feel the love and support from the team and crowd.”
Junior Grace Yemington, who caught for Myrick, also went 3-for-3 at the plate, drew a walk, and scored one run.
“Our pitcher killed it,” Yemington said. “She did awesome, and I’m really proud of her.”
Cacci also noted how the team has improved its chemistry on the field.
“Communication on the field has definitely gotten better,” she said. “There’s still a lot of areas we could improve on, even with communicating, but people are much better at calling plays and supporting each other.”
The Knights extended their lead to 5-0 in the third inning. Yemington led off with a single, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a ground ball to short that was mishandled.
Anderson responded with one run in the bottom of the third, it’s only run of the game.
In the fourth, Tallulah McColgin led off with a double and scored on a two-out single by Jazzy Urdy. Urdy later scored on a Maggie Smith single after advancing on a Yemington double, pushing the lead to 7-1.
“It felt really good catching an airball that got one of their players out,” Yemington said, referring to a popup she caught from the catcher position in the bottom of the fourth. Third baseman Urdy ended the inning by catching a popped-up bunt with two runners left on base.
The Knights added two more runs in the fifth. Tiara Cooks tripled with one out and scored on an error. Myrick followed with a double, and McColgin, already on third, scored on a wild pitch.
Myrick said the tiebreaker provided valuable momentum heading into the postseason.
“I think it was good that we played Anderson again because it was an extra game before playoffs that I feel like we need,” she said. “Hopefully we will do well in the playoffs.”
This is Myrick’s first year on varsity.
“I’m excited for the playoffs since it’s my first year on varsity for softball,” she said. “So I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Cacci reflected on the team’s postseason history and growth this season.
“Yes, we made it to the playoffs last year,” she said. “We lost in the first round though to Elgin. We held up a pretty good fight though. I think we just had to keep improving as a team throughout the season and become more consistent. We knew Anderson wasn’t like incredible going into the season, so it was really just a matter of keeping our energy up and knowing what we were capable of.”
Though injured since the second scrimmage of the year, Cacci continues to stay active with the program.
“I go to every practice and every game and try to support and cheer on the team,” she said. “I also do a lot of stuff for Coach Whatley and the booster club, so I still feel very integrated into the team.”
The Knights held Anderson scoreless in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Myrick pitched a complete game, striking out 11, walking none, and allowing five hits and one earned run.
The win qualified the Knights for the UIL playoffs. They lost to Georgetown East View in the bi-district round.
