The Lady Gladiators took on the Meridian Lady Yellow Jackets last night in a Class 1A, Region 2 Quarterfinal matchup. To say that it was a heart stopper is an understatement. This game defined the spirit, the heart and the grit that this team has exemplified all year long. My hat is off to the Ladies as their never-say-die attitude brought them from a 7-0 deficit in the 6th inning to a 8-7 score at the end of the 7th inning. Unfortunately the gamed ended in an Italy loss.

Solid defensive performances by both teams resulted in a scoreless game until the 4th inning. It wasn’t until then that Meridian was able to skate one past the Italy defense. In the 4th, 5th and 6th innings the Meridian offense was able to rack up 6 more runs resulting in a 7-0 score.

It was in the bottom of the 6th inning that things began to change. With two outs on the board, Drew Windham and Megan Richards both got walks. With two runners on base Cori Jeffords stroked one out of the park. The 6th inning ended with a score of 7-3.

In the top of the 7th inning the Meridian Lady Jackets were able advance another runner across home plate. This left the score 8-3 to start the Lady Gladiators’ last at-bat. During this half inning the entire Italy line up batted, one even batting twice.

• Abby Griffith started the inning with a walk.
• Meredith Brummett followed up with a triple scoring Griffith. The score is now 8-4.
• Brummett scored on a wild pitch. The score is now 8-5.
• Nikki Brashear, Alma Suaste and Drew Windham each got on base with walks.
• Bases are loaded and look who’s up to bat! Megan Richards hits a hard line drive up the middle scoring both Brashear and Suaste. The score is now 8-7!
• With two runners on base Cori Jeffords is up. The Meridian defense opts to intentionally walk Jeffords. Obviously they didn’t want to see a repeat of her previous at-bat. Bases are loaded again.
• Bailey Bumpus steps up to the plate and hits an infield ground ball. The Meridian fielder makes a bad throw to the catcher in an attempt get the out at home and then things get crazy. While trying to get control of the ball the catcher ends up right in the path of Windham as she crosses the plate. (She is probably still feeling it!) During the confusion and chaos of the collision Richards crosses the plate as well. All the while the Meridian catcher still hasn’t gotten up. Unfortunately the umpires make a call that changes history. This call results in Windham being called out and Richards having to return to third.
• With two outs Griffith hits a ground ball up the middle that the Meridian defense is able to get a hold of and is thrown out at first.
• Game over.

The Lady Gladiators softball team end this season with a 27-6-1 record. Congratulations on a great season ladies…can’t wait until next year!

From Coach Reeves….“We had a great season this year and I am very proud of the girls. We will build on this and next year we will exceed what we have accomplished this year.”