Bogue Chitto Lady Cats go back-to-back
Published 6:00 pm Sunday, May 22, 2011
RIDGELAND – It was a great day to be a Lady Cat as Bogue Chittoswept the West Union Lady Eagles in two games, winning 4-2 Saturdayin the MHSAA State 1A Fastpitch Softball Championship at FreedomRidge Park.
Bogue Chitto overpowered the Lady Eagles in Game 1 with a 8-5victory Friday, giving the Cats back-to-back statechampionships.
“It feels great to win another state championship,” said BogueChitto coach Scott Leggett. “The girls played great in this seriesand our pitchers did an outstanding job for us.
“These girls have worked hard all year and have accomplishedsomething great by winning three championship in a year’s span,”continued Leggett. “I am extremely proud of them.”
The Lady Cats (23-7) have accomplished an amazing goal bywinning three championships in a one-year span. Bogue Chittocaptured back-to-back fastpitch championships and the slowpitchchampionship crown last fall.
Bogue Chitto loses four starters to graduation who are DarcyMiller, Bradi Davis, Josie Porter and Toy Smith. The Lady Catsfuture still looks bright with upcoming talent.
The Lady Eagles, coached by Lisa Bogue, conclude their seasonwith 19-11 worksheet and the North State championship crown.
Bogue Chitto 4, West Union 2
The Lady Cats were eager to get things going early. They scoredone run in the first inning to set the tone of the game and reliedon their tough defense to earn the win.
Bogue Chitto would add some more insurance runs in the third andsixth innings.
The Lady Eagles got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the thirdand scored their only two runs before the Lady Cats’ defensetightened up.
Senior pitcher Toy Smith collected the victory for Bogue Chittowith three strikeouts, four walks and allowed three hits. DanielleTaylor absorbed the loss for West Union with six strikeouts andthree walks.
Miller and Porter provided the Lady Cats with a spark on offensewith a ground-rule double and a single apiece. Adrienne Wallacebelted a triple. Hitting safely were Mattie Avants and AlanaNettles.
West Union got only three hits offensively, which were singlesfrom Leah Paige Goolsby, Bailey Bogue and Brittany Taylor.
“Bogue Chitto did a great job defensively to keep us off thebases,” said Coach Bogue. “Our girls did a great job fighting hardto give ourselves a chance to win. It is tough to lose but overallI am very proud of the girls and the effort they gave allseason.”
Bogue Chitto 8, West Union 5
In Friday’s game, the Lady Cats and the Lady Eagles fought hardthrough a seesaw battle as both teams were tying to getadjusted.
Bogue Chitto took advantage the young Lady Eagles by using theirexperience in the first inning and scored two runs.
West Union finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the thirdinning with a small rally to captured the lead over BC 3-2.
Bogue Chitto returned the favor in the bottom of the third witha 3-run rally and took back the lead 5-3.
The Lady Eagles fought hard the next two innings and tied thegame at 5-all in the top of the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, BC pushed across three runs as theLady Cats took advantage on a couple of West Union errors toreclaim the lead. Bogue Chitto relied on strong defense to shut thedoor on the Lady Eagles in the final two innings and get thewin.
Sophomore Rheagan Welch was the winning pitcher for the LadyCats with six strikeouts and six walks. Danielle Taylor sufferedthe loss for the Lady Eagles with six strikeouts and two walks.
“We are glad to win Game 1,” said Coach Leggett. “Now we justhave to finish it off with a win tomorrow.”
Porter was the offensive leader for Bogue Chitto with twosingles. Miller contributed a double. Avants, Davis, Nettles, Welchand Smith hit safely.
Bailey Bogue brought the offensive firepower for West Union witha solo home run in the fourth inning. Gina Beth Conlee smashed adouble and a single. Julianna Garner provided two singles. Hittingsafely were Brittany Taylor and Goolsby.
“The girls fought hard,” said Coach Bogue. “Hopefully, we canbounce back tomorrow to make this a series.”