8U softball wins USSSA state tourney
The girls display their All-Star season banner: (front, center) Peyton Parrish and (back, left to right) Avery Watts, Emma Campbell, Paislee James, Kinsley Palmer, Jenna Barnett, Natalie Nichols, Jasmine Pearson, Macey Welbourn, Chelsea Carruthers. Not pictured is Melissa Apariso.
By Kadin Pounders
For the FCT
Sometimes there are events or moments in sports that seem more fit for a movie script than real life. On June 25-27 in Florence, 11 young girls and a few coaches created their own Hollywood ending.
The Russellville 8U fast-pitch softball All-Stars were crowned USSSA State Peaches champions that Saturday after reeling off eight straight wins in the double elimination tournament.
There are not many things more impressive than winning a state championship, but the fashion in which the girls won was what made it awe-inspiring.
“We lost our very first game to Morris,” said head coach Ralph Parrish. “We played really bad that first game. It’s almost impossible to go through a loser’s bracket and make it where we did.”
Almost impossible.
After falling to Morris 14-13 on Thursday the team was in a hole. One more loss and it was all over. However, the girls came back on Friday and defeated Hayden 16-3 and West Alabama 12-7 to give them a chance on Saturday.
Russellville’s girls started off sluggish in the first game Saturday. It took a walk-off hit to send Pell City packing 10-9, but the game against Pell City was just the first victory of six that the girls would have to capture on Saturday in order to be holding the trophy at the end of day.
“We didn’t have a break. We played back-to-back-to-back-to-back,” said Parrish. “Luckily (the weather) was nice on Saturday. If it had been 97 degrees outside, it would’ve been really tough to win all those games.”
With the one loss the team had already suffered, the girls had their backs against the wall. The team still had a gauntlet of games left to play, but rather than be intimidated or give up, Russellville dominated the competition.
In fact, after the initial loss to Morris Thursday, Russellville outscored its opponents 110-54 the rest of the tournament, including a 20-5 win over Decatur.
Parrish credited his team’s poise, patience and consistency in the batter’s box for their success.
“One of the most impressive stats was we had 294 at-bats (in the tournament) and only struck out one time,” said Parrish. “It is coach pitch, but you have you to put the ball in play – you can’t strikeout. We didn’t strikeout at all.”
After eliminating four teams Saturday, Russellville still had one obstacle: an undefeated Morris squad. The only team that had beaten Russellville was the only one standing between them and the trophy. Russellville beat Morris consecutively by scores of 11-8 and 18-12 to win the state title.
“I never thought that we wouldn’t win it,” said Parrish. “These girls have a lot of heart, and they’re just a close bunch of girls. They’re pretty good at softball, too.”
The toughness and fight that the team displayed was admirable, no matter the age level.
“Our girls persevered through the longest softball day of their lives,” said assistant coach Jeremy Campbell. “We are all so proud of the heart and determination that the girls showed to win this championship.”
The Russellville All-Stars will be looking to add another state championship trophy to their collection July 10-12 in Gadsden at the ARPA softball state tournament. Russellville will also field 10U and 12U teams in the annual tournament.
