St. James edges Georgetown 4-2
Last Updated on 3/20/2010
Published on 5/13/2009
By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
Playing against defending state champ St. James in the Class AAA Lower State Championship tournament on Monday, the Georgetown High softball team left everything it had on the field.
Though the Bulldogs came up short in a 4-2 decision, it was impossible for coach Al Hutchinson to mask the pride he felt about his team's efforts throughout the 2009 campaign.
After missing the playoffs a year ago, the Bulldogs - who finished the year with a record of 14-9 - made their deepest run in the postseason in nearly 10 years.
"No one expected us to make it as far as we did," Hutchinson said. "We were the only ones who knew that we were capable of getting this far.
"You want to forget about some seasons as soon as they end. I'm not sure I'll ever want to forget about this year. I'm proud of the girls for their efforts and for the character they (displayed) all during the season."
St. James (25-6) took a three-run lead during its first at bat, getting a run-scoring single from Cyra Cottrell and a base hit from Megan Grant which brought home two more.
However, the Bulldogs settled down after the opening frame and fought their way back into the game in the third inning.
Katie Lunsford (single) and Bailey Tice (walk) reached base to start the inning and both would cross the plate following a St. James error.
"We could have given up after the first inning," Hutchinson said. "Things were not going our way. But we answered the challenge and made a game of it. That's the way we've played all year long."
St. James picked up an insurance run in the seventh inning and pitcher Ashley Brown made sure the final margin held up. Brown improved her record to 9-0, striking out 12 and allowing two hits.
Georgetown's Amber Mahaffey made it a pitchers duel, allowing five hits and striking out four.
"She pitched as well as she has all year," Hutchinson said. "St. James has some excellent hitters. Amber battled them and kept us close."
Mahaffey - who also had a double in the game - and infielder/outfielder Candice Locklair are Georgetown's graduating seniors.
"We owe them a lot," Hutchinson said. "They were team leaders and their play on the field was a big part of our success. We are certainly going to miss them."
Georgetown will return a strong nucleus next season, including All-Region outfielder Bailey Tice, catcher Megan Strickland and infielder Katie Lunsford.
"Our future is very bright," Hutchinson said. "We have a talented group of players returning. We should be ready to go."
Soccer Playoffs
The top-ranked team in Class AA, the Waccamaw High girls soccer team has won 15 of 16 games and will begin the playoffs today, hosting Loris. The Warriors received a bye in the first round.
The Waccamaw boys team also received a bye in the first round and will start the playoffs on Thursday. The Warriors are 16-7 overall and are ranked third in the latest Class AA polls.
The Andrews boys were scheduled to start the playoffs on Tuesday at Ashley Ridge.
