Pelham Middle School Wins Inaugural Lady Buffaloes Softball Tournament

Published 2:53 pm Monday, September 17, 2018

By Ken Gustafson

The Pelham Middle School Lady Hornets Softball Team won the first-ever Lady Buffaloes Softball Tournament played on the very ball field that former President Jimmy Carter and his classmates played on. Left to right back row: Jade Fulghum, Allena Lawson, Lexie Carr, Georgia Ritter, River Barwick, Brianna Norman, Jacklyn Lovos, Allana Lawson. Left to right middle row: Sodi Palmer, Jayla Franklin, Megan Meadows, Katelyn Hall, McKenzie Shiver, Ellie Curles. Left to right front row: Katelyn Shiver, Madison Martin, Zoe Sherrod, Madison Gay, Anslee Adams. Photo by Ken Gustafson

PLAINS – The Pelham Middle School Lady Hornets Softball Team took home the championship on Saturday, September 15, in the first-ever Lady Buffaloes Softball Tournament. The tournament was played on the softball field next to the Jimmy Carter National Historic site in Plains, GA.

This was the very ball field that former President Jimmy Carter and his classmates played ball on.

The Terrell County Middle School Softball Team took second place at the Lady Buffaloes Softball Tournament. Back row left to right: Coaches Monyette Williams, Ryan Richardson, Martha Stephens, Sharon Roberts. Middle Row left to right: Kristina Brown, Khaniyah Holmes, Jaylin Peters, Summer Pickin, Diamond Eady, Jaylyn Burleson, Trinady Thomas, Camryn Slappey, Aniya Sims. Front row left to right: Avuena Daniel, Akira Williams, Ciara Harvey, Mon’Taysia Hill, Jaylin Brown, Hailey Harris, Candice Price, Jamya Powell, Makyla Bridges.
Photo by Ken Gustafson

The tournament consisted of middle school teams from Furlow Charter, Pelham Middle School, Terrell County Middle School and Sumter Middle School.

The Tournament began on Friday, September 14, at 4:30 p.m. Each game had a time limit of one hour and thirty minutes. The first game featured Furlow Charter against Sumter Middle School. Furlow won the game 15-1.

Furlow Charter Middle School Softball Team finishes in third place. Back row left to right: Coach Spier and Coach Umpleby.
Middle Row: left to right: Makayla Ruckman, Kendall Robinson, Caitlyn Umpleby, Jaelyn Wynn, Marlee Holloway.
Bottom Row: Taylor High, Haley Moore, Taylor Sheppard, Ashley Mazer. Maci Horn.
Not pictured: Anissa Retanna and Lena Do.
Photo by Ken Gustafson

In Saturday’s action, the first game began at 9 a.m., with Pelham defeating Terrell County 13-1. Terrell County, not happy with the result against Pelham, took it out on Sumter Middle School by beating them 12-1.

Pelham’s Allana Lawson at the plate.
Photo by Ken Gustafson

The next game featured Furlow Charter against Pelham. The Lady Hornets shut out the Lady Falcons 14-0. Sumter Middle School had to forfeit because they didn’t have enough players for their next game. Therefore, by virtue of their two wins in the tournament, the Lady Hornets were declared tournament champions. The only thing left to decide was who would win second place.

Terrell County’s Jamya Powell at the plate against Furlow Charter.
Photo by Ken Gustafson

The last game of the tournament was between Terrell County and Furlow Charter. Terrell County scored five runs in the first inning off of walks. Furlow tried to make a comeback in the bottom of the first when Jaelyn Wynn led off with a double and eventually scored. With two outs in the inning, Kendall Robinson drew a walk, then stole second base. Robinson would eventually score on a passed ball.

Furlow Charter’s Jaelyn pitching against Pelham Middle School.
Photo by Ken Gustafson

Terrell County scored five more runs in the second inning, and Furlow was able to score a run in the bottom of the second. However, time ran out and Terrell County won 10-3, taking second place. “The dedicated girls showed up for the game and they did the best they could,” Furlow Charter Head Coach Jake Umpleby said.

Pelham Middle School finished as tournament champions. Terrell County Middle School finished in second place, and Furlow Charter finished in third.

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