Quitman clinches division softball crown
By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
September 22, 2004
QUITMAN The Quitman High Lady Panthers scored three runs in the bottom of fifth to defeat South Jones 5-4 and assure themselves of a first-place finish in the Division 5-4A slow-pitch softball standings.
With only two division games remaining, the Lady Panthers upped their 5-4A record to 8-0. South Jones is the closest team to Quitman in the standings at 5-2, with both of its losses coming to Quitman.
"When we started the season, this is where I expected," said D'aunn Odom. "Now we want to go further into the playoffs than the first round."
The Lady Panthers went 9-1 in the division last season and claimed their first softball title. They lost to d'Iberville in the first round. With seven starters returning from that championship team, Quitman is hoping to play deeper into the playoffs this years.
"We will be playing the teams out of District Six, and there are some good ones," Odom said. "We play very good defense and we can hit the ball. It's time we step up and compete with the best teams around."
Quitman stands at 11-8 overall. Odom schedules her team against the best teams in East Mississippi such as Clarkdale and West Lauderdale for a purpose.
"Playing the best is the only way we can get better," Odom said. "We have stayed with Clarkdale and West Lauderdale for three or four innings. Then they would get something going and beat us.
"It's a mental thing. We have to believe we can beat teams like this, and doing that is the only way we will step up to the next level."
South Jones scored two in the first inning. Brittany Welch singled and came in on Delyse Montgomery's one-bagger. Monica Robertson, who got on with a fielder's choice, came home on Amber Ball's fielder's choice, giving the Lady Braves a 2-0 edge.
Quitman got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Anna Laura Fontenot doubled and came home on Amanda Herring's sacrifice fly, making the score 2-1.
Welch scored another South Jones run in the top of the third. Welch singled and then came home on Robertsons double to give the Lady Braves a 3-1 edge.
Gabby Morgan scored the Lady Panthers second run in the bottom of the fourth. After hitting a double, Morgan came home on Fontenot's sacrifice fly to make the score 3-2.
Quitman then punched in three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Chelsee Culberson got on with an error, and then advanced to second on another South Jones miscue. Jessica Creighton knocked in Culberson and scored on Lindsey Martins triple. Martin then came home on Gabby Morgan's double, giving the Lady Panthers a 5-3 edge.
Robertson scored South Jones' final run in the top of the sixth.
"I can't fault our kids effort," said South Jones Bob Herrington, whose team dropped to 9-2 overall. "We lost to a good team. They got the hits when they needed them."
Both teams will be back in action Thursday. South Jones hosts Wayne County while Quitman visits Laurel.
