Lady Wildcats close out regular season with five straight wins

Published 8:28 pm Thursday, October 4, 2018

ELLAVILLE – The Schley County High School softball team closed out the regular season by winning five games in a row with their double-header sweep of Dooly County on Thursday, October 4, at Schley County High School.

After losing a tough region game to Hawkinsville by the score of 4-2 on Tuesday, September 25, the Lady Wildcats pulled off a huge 5-4 region win at Marion County two days later. They followed that up with a 12-0 shutout of Taylor County on Tuesday, October 2. The Lady Wildcats then travelled to Columbus, GA and defeated Brookstone 11-3 on Wednesday, October 3. The Lady Wildcats also won another game at Brookstone on that same day by the score of 6-5. That was a game that had begun at Schley County earlier in the year, but was postponed due to lightning. The game was completed on Wednesday, October 3, at Brookstone, with the Lady Wildcats winning 6-5.

Schley County senior Kelli Rees went 2-for-3 with two singles, scored two runs and drove in an RBI in the Lady Wildcats’ 16-1 win over Dooly County.
Photo by Ken Gustafson

It was Senior Night on Thursday, October 4. Schley County honored three seniors before the scheduled double-header against Dooly County: Kelli Rees, Madison Tobin and Emily Campbell. All three were honored during a pre-game ceremony.

After the ceremony was over, it was time to play softball. Dooly County came into what was supposed to be a double-header with an overall record of 3-13-1 and were winless in Region 4-A-Public (0-12). Schley County had a record of 17-5 overall and 7-2 in Region 4-A-Public.

Dooly County’s lead-off hitter, Tierra Burden, singled against Schley County starting pitcher Perri DeVane. Takeira Lee drew a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Burden then stole third base. Burden then scored on a passed ball and Lee advanced to second base on that same pitch. That would be the only run of the game for the Lady Bobcats. Miracle Fields then struck out and Nazshe Robinson lined into a double play to end their half of the first inning.

The Lady Wildcats went to work right away in the bottom of the first. They scored 16 runs on six hits in the first inning alone. They also took advantage of six errors committed by the Lady Bobcats. That pretty much sealed the game for Schley County. The game was over after the top of the third inning due to a run rule, with Schley County winning 16-1.

Schley County senior Emily Campbell executes a bunt single.
Photo by Ken Gustafson

This was supposed to be a double-header, but the Dooly County coach decided to forfeit the second game, giving “Game 2” to Schley County.

Kelli Rees had a memorable senior night. She went 2-for-3 with a single and a double, scored two runs and drove in an RBI. Emily Campbell went 1-for-2 on the evening with a bunt single and a walk. She also scored two runs. Madison Tobin walked, reached on an error and scored a run. Perri DeVane, the Schley County starting pitcher, went 2-for-3, scored two runs and drove in two RBIs.

Schley County senior Madison Tobin at the plate for the Wildcats against Dooly County.
Tobin drew a walk, reached on an error and scored a run.
Photo by Sheila DeVane

While in the circle, DeVane gave up one run on one hit. She walked one batter and struck out three in two innings pitched. Hannah Crawford came on in the top of the third inning. Crawford gave up only one hit, walked one and struck out one.

Schley County (19-5, 9-2) will now await the results of other region games to see where, when and who they will play in the GHSA Class A-Public State Playoffs.