by Stan Crawley
posted May 14, 2008
Ooltewah’s seniors have assured themselves of a new experience later this week – playing at home in a state softball sectional.
Ooltewah scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning Wednesday and defeated rival Soddy-Daisy, 2-0, for the Region 3-AAA championship at Jim Lovell Field.
The victory gave nationally ranked Ooltewah (41-3-1) a home game Friday night at 7 in a sectional against either Lawrence County.
Ooltewah was ranked No. 24 last week in the Rivals.com Fab 50 national softball rankings.
As freshmen, the Lady Owls didn’t advance to a sectional. As sophomores, they won at Murfreesboro Siegel and then finished third in the state. Last year, they lost at Murfreesboro Riverdale.
“I don’t know much about either team in the sectionals,’’ Ooltewah senior Lexie Whitenburg said. “I just know it will be good to be at home in front of our fans.’’
Two-time defending state champion Soddy-Daisy (25-14-1) will play on the road at Coffee County, which defeated Lawrence County, 7-0, for the Region 4 title Wednesday night.
The sectional winners earn berths in next week’s BlueCross Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.
“We’re staying at home,’’ Ooltewah coach Norma Nelson said. “This is very exciting. It’s been a long time since we won a regional. It seems like Soddy-Daisy has won the last 10 or more. I’m excited and very pleased for the kids.’’
Soddy-Daisy junior Alesha Buckner gave up only four hits and struck out eight, but three of the hits came in the bottom of the fourth.
After two outs, Bri Shoemake singled to right field and Whitenburg walked. Sara Kelly followed with an infield single, loading the bases. Linley Gannon then lined an RBI single off the glove of the Soddy-Daisy third-baseman, giving Ooltewah a 1-0 lead. Another run scored on a Soddy-Daisy error.
“It’s a tough game every time we play Soddy-Daisy,’’ Whitenburg said.
Said Nelson, “Every game has been decided by two runs or less so it’s great to get the win and allow the kids to play at home before all their friends and parents. And we’re getting a lot of community support as well.’’
Senior Holly Thomas gave up four hits and picked up the victory. She struck out 11, walked four and allowed singles to Taylor Wilson, Kali Henderson, Andie Johnson and Ashlee England.
It was Ooltewah’s fourth straight win against Soddy-Daisy since a loss early in the season. The Lady Owls entered the season without a victory over the Lady Trojans in eight years.
“It’s always great to beat Soddy-Daisy,’’ Thomas said. “Especially this time. That was the sweetest so far. Our main goal was to stay home for Friday night.’’
Thomas said her catcher, senior Kaitlin Neil, called a good game.
“She has been calling the pitches since the middle of last season,’’ Thomas said. “She helped me change it up a little tonight against Soddy-Daisy, and I was hitting my spots. We usually talk between innings and we seem to always be on the same page.’’
Said Nelson, “Holly did well tonight, even when it was raining. She did a good job getting out of several jams.’’
Other than the three hits in the fourth, Ooltewah also got a single from Jessica Chernak.
LINESCORE
Soddy-Daisy……….000 000 0 – 0 4 1
Ooltewah…………..000 200 x – 2 4 0
Buckner and Wilson; Thomas and Neil.
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)
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