By HARVEY SIMPSON
Dispatch Sports Editor
BAINBRIDGE — Officially, the District 3 12-and-under girls softball champions are referred to only as Crisp County.
Based upon the closeness of four of their five games in the three-day tournament that concluded early Thursday morning, the winners well deserve an additional tag of “Cardiac Kids.”
En route to the crown that earns it a trip to Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state tournament play July 9-11 in Waycross, the Crisp team posted three one-run wins and suffered its only loss by two runs.
“We definitely won some cliffhangers,” head coach John Thompson said in reference to a 14-13 victory over Grady County and the pair of 8-7 wins over Lee County that they sandwiched around a 6-4 loss to that foe.
The only game in which Thompson and his team didn’t have to sweat out a victory came on Tuesday against Bainbridge. They were leading it 11-5 when play was halted one out away from the finish. When the contest was finished on Wednesday, the final score was 11-6.
Then came the 6-4 loss to Lee County followed by the second 8-7 victory that ended shortly after midnight when Savannah Thompson drew a two-outs, bases-loaded walk to cap a four-run last-inning rally.
It was thus a weary, but jubilant group that returned home triumphantly just three hours or so before daylight Thursday after a 90-mile one-way trek for a third straight day.
“I’ll have to say our girls gave 110 percent every game,” an elated Thompson acknowledged. “They could have given up several times — especially when we were just an out away from a three-run loss to Lee in the finals — but they never did. Instead, they kept battling and finally pulled it out. We’re all as proud of them as we can be.”
Thompson said pitchers Shane Phinney, Mandy Foster and Megan Butterworth “are due a lot of credit for our success.
“The same can be said about the job Torie Holmes, Julia Davis, Summer Powell, Megan Coleman and Bailey Leger did at the plate and Savannah Brown, Savannah Thompson and Caylee Strange did in the field.
“I want to give by assistant coaches — Jeff Davis, Toby Coleman, Sherrie Leverett and Kyle Davis — a lot of praise, too, for all their time and effort.
“Really, I’d like to express a big thank you for every thing everybody did for us.”
Local Sports
12-and-under girls capture district crown
- Local Sports
-
-
Cougars score overtime win over Patriots
They had to work overtime to do so, but Crisp County High’s Cougars got the win (56-53) they needed over Westover’s Patriots Friday to keep alive their hopes for a No. 2 Region 1-AAA tournament seed.
-
Wilcox's Marshall dismissed from Georgia football squad
Former Wilcox High record-setting quarterback and basketball player Nick Marshall is one of three players who have been dismissed from the University of Georgia football team.
-
Fullington's Senior Night observation a huge hardwood success
On the day they suited up for their final regular season home game ever, it was only fitting that seniors did the bulk of the scoring during Fullington Academy’s Saturday romps past Sherwood.
-
Cougar teams drop pair to favored Valdosta
As the 2011-12 hoops campaign winds down, Crisp County High boys coach Terry Smith still views his team’s season-opening 68-60 win over Valdosta High as its top performance to date.
-
Dooly, Greenville exchange nail-biting Saturday night wins
The gymnasium here wasn’t a place for the faint of heart to be Saturday night as a pair of games pitting Dooly County and Greenville High went down to the proverbial wire.
-
Area schools face tournament, regular season action starting Tuesday
Region tournament competition that later in the week will involve Crisp and Fullington academies begins today and the final week of regular season play starts this evening for Crisp, Dooly and Wilcox counties.
-
Marshall dismissed from UGA
ATHENS — Former Wilcox High record-setting quarterback and basketball player Nick Marshall is one of three players who have been dismissed from the University of Georgia football team.
-
Fullington clobbers Valwood in Region 3-AA GISA duels
Fullington Academy’s Lady Trojans made a repeat statement. Its Trojans made amends. Both teams easily thrashed their Valwood opponents Thursday night.
-
Crisp Academy trounces Randolph Southern
Crisp Academy’s Wildcats saved their best offensive performance of the regular season for last and the Lady Wildcats did right well, too, while cruising to a Friday night sweep of Randolph Southern.
-
Wildcat teams trounce Randolph Southern
Crisp Academy’s Wildcats saved their best offensive performance of the regular season for last and the Lady Wildcats did right well, too, while cruising to a Friday night sweep of Randolph Southern.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
