The same two schools which reached the 13^th District finals and regional tournament in girls basketball duplicated that feat Tuesday by eliminating Russellville and Logan County in opening round softball games at Logan County High School.
A very difficult season came to an end for the Russellville Lady Panthers when they fell 15-0 to heavily favored Franklin-Simpson, the defending champions.
In an exciting nightcap, Todd Central held off Logan 7-6.
Coach Steve Cauley’s Franklin team repeated as district champion, defeating the Lady Rebels 8-4 in the finals.
The Lady Rebels took a 4-0 lead in the second inning as Ashley Bishop and Addison Rundle walked, Cara Gorrell sacrificed in a run, pitcher Brandi Mallory walked, and Hilary Sweeney got a hit.
Logan took the lead 5-4 on consecutive doubles by Maddie Abbott and Robyn Estes after Kelsey Odle got a hit. Alecia Croft walked and Victoria Cates reached on a sacrifice. Estes scored the go-ahead run when the ball got past the catcher. Hits by Lauren Addison, Taylor Gilliland, Natalie Perry and Kayla Watkins put Todd up 7-5. The Lady Rebels loaded the bases with two outs, but Victoria Cates struck out Perry and shortstop Croft and third baseman Abbott kept it close on a good defensive play.
With two outs in the final inning Cates tripled for Logan and scored on a passed ball. Abbott walked and Estes gave the ball a ride, but it was caught in centerfield to end the game.
Abbott, a freshman batting third, had an RBI double and a pair of walks.
Logan's all-season performers were Estes, Croft and Jonique Smith. The Lady Cougars finished 3-16 and were outscored 223-64.
Other starters for Coach Toby Turpin’s squad were Cheyenne Bilicki, Brianna Scott and Amber Rosser. Bench players include Amber Rosser, Maegan Ferguson, Shelby Milam, Sarah Creek and Sierra Morrow.
Chelsey Johnson was the only RHS baserunner, working a walk in the second inning. Laura Grace Marksberry was the pitcher for the young RHS team. Megan Woodlee & Brittany Hampton were the RHS representatives on the all-season team.
Other starters for the Lady Panthers were Taylor Gray, Kahlil Neblett, Imani Hampton, Shay Hampton, Emily Rohrer and Mallory Bush. Coach Phil Todd inserted sixth graders Macy Meacham and Tiffany Gray in the infield in the second inning, and they responded well. Allison McDaniel, Tara Gilbert and Allison McDaniel are also sixth graders on the varsity. Jennifer Myers and Cyndi Sanders were stabilizing influences on the coaching staff of the team which finished 1-14 and were outscored 366-28.
Also all-district were Karla and Kelli Wimpee, Hannah Cowan, and Mallory Johnson of F-S and Mallory, Bishop and Perry of Todd. Lewisburg High School graduate Cauley is the Franklin-Simpson coach. Calvin Head, a 2006 Todd Central graduate, coaches both the softball and boys basketball teams for his alma mater.
New coaches will be at the helm next year for the teams which were eliminated. Turpin has decided his ninth season as the LCHS coach will be his last. Todd, who is a former Final Four boys basketball coach for RHS and serves as athletic director/administrator for his alma mater, was only filling in this season at the request of Principal John Myers.