The championship game continued the season’s theme as it ended with another Lady Cat win in a blowout.
Clear Creek won the league softball title last Tuesday, and its offense ensured the game would be called early. The Cats plated runs in all of their at-bats, and six of 11 hits were crushed for extra bases.
CCMS delivered the knockout blow to Lumpkin County with a six-run fourth inning. When the Indians were unable to cut the deficit to fewer than eight runs in the fifth, the Lady Cats rushed the field to celebrate their 13-4 victory.
“This group of girls are a wonderful example of what a true team represents,” said head coach Tina McDaniel. “I count it a blessing to be their coach. We have taken each game one day at a time. We as their coaches have tried to instill in them that if they make a mistake move on to the next play, build each other up, cheer each other on, hitting is contagious, and good things happen when you put the bat on the ball.
“They are so humble and kind, but on the field, so fierce and united. Some have been playing together since they were 7 years old, so just to see their growth, development and improvement has been phenomenal.”
Lily Jones and Braley Stewart spearheaded Clear Creek’s run barrage. Jones’ championship game performance included a pair of doubles and five RBIs. Stewart drove in four runs and was three for four on the day, which included two doubles.
Sarah Dale was the winning pitcher. She struck out four, walked four and gave up three hits and an earned run across 3 1/3 innings. She was relieved by Stewart, who tossed the final 1 2/3 innings, struck out two and allowed a hit.
Leadoff hitter Stewart and Dale started Clear Creek’s offensive assault in the bottom of the first inning with back-to-back doubles for a 1-0 lead.
In the third, Stewart was at it again. After Elainah Cox reached on an infield hit, Mia Henson roped a double off the left-field fence. Makayla Martin drew a walk to load the bases before Stewart shot a double to the left center field gap for three runs.
Leading 4-0, CCMS added three more runs in the third. Jaylee McDaniel and Emma Cagle drew walks to start the inning. Jones’ double to center brought them both home, and Martin’s single to left made it 7-0 in the Cats’ favor.
The Indians were able to gain some traction in the fourth. A base hit and walk were followed by a single to center coupled with a two-base error. Two runs scored, and a third trotted home on an ensuing hit to right. A throwing error allowed Lumpkin to trim the Cats’ lead to 7-4.
CCMS had a resounding response in its next at-bat. Dale and Makenna Taylor set the stage with walks. McDaniel’s single to left added an eighth run before Cox walked to load the bases. Jones smoked a double down the left field line as the Cats’ lead swelled to 11-4.
After an infield hit by Henson, Martin grounded out to the pitcher to score Jones. Taylor added Clear Creek’s final run when she singled to right.
The win improved the Cats’ record to 15-1 on the season.
In the semifinals, CCMS downed Dawson County, 9-1. The Cats ended the regular season by trouncing Towns County, 20-1 and 12-2.
“All of their hard work and dedication has finally paid off. They have put in so much extra time. We practiced a lot this summer and this season, and they have been very dedicated to Lady Cat softball. In some cases, they sacrificed their personal time to go to tournaments outside of CCMS softball and that has helped out as well,” McDaniel said.
“So to be 15-1 this season is very satisfying.”