The Lady Wolverine softball team concluded their season on Oct. 20 after a 2-0 loss to Rutland in the AA North Sectional at Alto Park in Rome.
In game one on Oct. 19, the team won its opener, 2-1 against Pike County. In a great, closely contested game, they were paced by the four hit, one run pitching performance of Alex Buffington.
The Lady Wolverines five hit attack was paced by Mary Kate Riley with two hits and an RBI, and Christine Core, Jessica Bradford, and Morgan Tinker with one hit a piece.
The team found themselves down 1-0 in the fifth inning, when Tinker led off with a single, and was sacrificed to second by Buffington. Tinker came around to score on two wild pitches to tie the game at 1-1.
Core then ripped a double to right field, taking third on an error, and scored on an RBI double to right by Riley. Buffington then slammed the door in the sixth and seventh, giving up only one hit the rest of the way.
The game was also highlighted by the errorless performance of the defense, which has been the staple of the team all year long. Jordan Hale made a sensational catch in the second inning in deep left center field to save a run and Core made a sliding grab in center in the fifth to halt a rally as well. Bradford was her usually steady self behind the plate, throwing out two runners attempting to steal.
The Lady Wolverines fell short by a 2-1 margin in game two, in one of the best games to watch all year. Facing the daunting task of attempting to defeat G.A.C. pitcher, Jessica Coan, who is the reigning pitcher of the year in AA, and the number one team in the state, the Lady Wolves did themselves proud.
Paced again by the pitching of Buffington, who scattered ten hits over seven innings and two unearned runs, the team found themselves in an early 1-0 hole after the first inning. The score remained that way until the sixth, when G.A.C. tacked on another run to make it 2-0.
In the seventh, the Lady Wolverines mounted a furious effort when Danielle Houts led off with a single, and took second with aggressive base running. After a sacrifice by Riley moved Houts to third, Bradford drove Houts in and reached on an error to make the score 2-1 G.A.C.
Though that is where the game ended, all in attendance agreed, including the G.A.C. coaches, that Dade County played the number one team in the state as tough as anyone has all year long. The effort by Houts is thought by many to be the best game she has ever played for Dade County, with two hits and several sparkling defensive plays at shortstop.
On Oct. 20, the Lady Wolverines drew a game with Rutland, and lost a heartbreaker, 2-0. Buffington turned in yet another strong pitching performance, limiting Rutland to only four hits. Scoring opportunities came at a premium for both teams in the game, as Buffington and Rutland pitcher, Sarah Ray, dueled for seven innings, and neither team was able to string together several hits or come up with a timely hit.
The team, though out of the playoffs, left everything on the field, and played aggressively all weekend long. They acquitted themselves with pride, and represented Dade County very well.
For six seniors, it marked the last time they would suit up for the Lady Wolverines. Danielle Houts, Christine Core, Mary Kate Riley, Jessica Bradford, Jordan Hale, and Amanda Rorex should be commended for their efforts all during the season. With returning players Alex Buffington, Emily Waldrop, Morgan Tinker, Kiuanna Stevens, Emily Contorno, and Hillary Woodfin, the future looks very bright for the Dade County Softball program.
