Corrigan-Camden softball fell behind early, but more than made up for it on Senior Night, taking a 13-2 district game in five innings over Chester Tuesday.
Chester grabbed two runs in the top of the second on a solo homer by Emma Byrd, a triple by Marae Pounds and a wild pitch. Had Lady Jacket fans gone home then, it would have been a more pleasant car ride.
Corrigan-Camden got the offense in motion in the bottom of the second, as Ava Burks was hit by a pitch, Madison Purvis walked and Abby Vera drove in a run with a double. Lacy Lawrence was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Keira Coodey beat out an infield single to drive in a run, K.K. Johnson plated two with a base hit and Addison Garcia loaded the bags again with a base on balls. A sacrifice fly from Kaylee Garcia got another run in and Burks reached on an infield single, also driving in a run. Purvis walked to load the bags once more and Vera drew the base on balls for the seventh run of the inning. At the end of two, Corrigan Camden led, 7-2
“All my seniors played at least two full innings today,” Corrigan-Camden coach Rusti Hall said. “We're 17-3 now on the season and we have finished second in district behind Groveton, and a lot better than we have been in the past. We kind of had a mid-season lull, to where we weren't hitting the ball well. But now it is better and it is good timing, because we are going into the playoffs. We are making all the routine plays and kind of meshing at the right time.”
Addison Garcia started the game in the circle for Corrigan, allowing the two runs in as many frames. Vera tossed the last three, shutting down the Chester attack.
In the fifth inning, the Lady Dogs finished off Chester. Cammy Parish singled, Johnson was hit by a pitch, Addison Garcia collected an RBI with a single, and Kaylee Garcia did the same with a double. Traelynn Harrington brought in a third run with a sacrifice fly, Skye Six was hit by a pitch and Vera singled to load the bags. Coodey was hit by a pitch, bringing in a run, and Parrish drove in two with a final hit.
Six freshmen start for the Lady Dogs, so the future is obviously bright in Corrigan. Hall said there are also a few eighth graders that could make an impact with hard work next year.
Corrigan-Camden will challenge Joaquin or Shelbyville in the first round of the playoffs. Under the new system of big school and small school brackets, they will be matched with a district champion in the first round, meaning two ranked teams will square off in bi-district.
Hall said she wants her team to work on consistency and not leaving base runners stranded. Before the game, the team recognized seniors Parrish, Coodey, Purvis, Addison Garcia and Burks.
“Senior night gets harder every year,” Hall said. “This is year five for me, so I have had my seniors since they were in eighth grade.”
