Little League 10-12 softball team falls 3-1 in state championship

Being a year ahead of schedule didn't prevent the Unicoi County 10-12 Little League softball team from making a lengthy run at a state championship over the weekend in Clarksville. But after outlasting Morristown 2-1 in seven innings and defeating Clarksville National 2-0 on Saturday, Unicoi fell 3-1 to Lebanon in the championship game Sunday afternoon. The championship game was scoreless through five innings, which was particularly impressive when considering that Lebanon had won its first two games against Maryville and Spring Hill by a combined score of 36-2. Ava Shelton pitched a four-hitter in the finale, and several of those hits weren't exactly rockets during a three-run sixth. "In the end, they got three across, and none of them came off hard, solid hits," Unicoi coach Jordan Simmons said. "They just executed what they needed to do." Unicoi didn't go quietly in its final at-bat. "Caroline Hughes started it off getting walked, and then Lilah Simmons singled with what was our only hit of the game," Simmons said. "We kept putting the bat on it, but Lebanon's defense was really good. We were forcing them to make plays, and they did. We scored one run, but that was it." Unicoi's defense was also noteworthy, helping Shelton get through five frames unscathed. "Ava threw an incredible game in this one against another bigger, older team," Coach Simmons said. "She was so efficient, and she kept them off balance throughout. And our defense backed her up. "Calvary Dillow made some great plays at second, including a run-saving diving play in the third inning. Lilah made some good plays at shortstop. Our outfield, again, was solid and made plays. Caroline Hughes at first and Adelyn Hendrix and Paisly Ford at third played well, and we were able to keep them off the board." Unicoi began the tournament having to work overtime to defeat Morristown. The international tiebreaker took effect in the top of the seventh. A Morristown batter began the frame hitting the ball to right fielder Amelia Anders, but Anders threw out the "ghost runner" at third base. "Amelia threw a bullet to third to get the lead runner," Simmons said. "From there, we handled the rest of that half of the inning." Hughes began the bottom of the seventh on second base. Leadoff batter Simmons reached, and runners were at second and third with none out after a passed ball. That set the stage for Ford. "Paisly came up and hit one to right center, scoring Caroline and giving us the win," Simmons said. "It was a great moment." Shelton struck out seven while allowing one run in six innings. Simmons, in order to keep Shelton eligible to pitch on Sunday, struck out two while pitching the scoreless seventh inning. Hendrix and Shelton tallied two hits apiece. Destini Riddle, Caroline Evely and Ford each had one hit. Simmons picked up where she left off on the mound against Clarksville National in game two. She struck out seven while pitching a three-hit shutout in the 2-0 triumph. "Their team was made up completely of girls who are league age 12, and they were big," Simmons said. "Their pitcher was really good. She had some speed to her and a great changeup. Going into the tournament, I think most people had them pegged as the favorite. But our young girls didn't flinch. "Lilah had the best game on the mound that I've ever seen her throw. She was hitting her spots well, she had command of her offspeed stuff and she showed some toughness that was very encouraging." Unicoi scored two in the fourth thanks, in part, to Dillow's leadoff walk, Simmons reaching on a throwing error and Shelton's RBI groundout, which concluded the scoring. Clarksville put the tying runners in scoring position with none out and its leadoff batter stepping to the plate in the fifth. "We ended up getting her out on a pop-up that Landry Simmons caught behind the plate right up against the fence," Coach Simmons said. "It was one of a few big plays she had in that game. She caught two pop-ups and threw out two stealing. "Lilah struck out the next batter, and then we intentionally walked their number three batter, loading the base for their cleanup hitter. It ended up being a full count, but we ended up striking her out and escaping." It proved to be Clarksville's final threat. "That game was just a great team win," Simmons said. "We had big-time defensive plays from a bunch of girls. Ava made some at shortstop, and Caroline at first base had a great game. Calvary at second and Adelyn and Paisly at third were all solid and helped us keep the shutout intact. In the outfield, Caroline, Destini, Shelby Allen, Amelia and Charlie Gillis all made plays when we needed them." The victory, Simmons stressed, showcase a group of young girls' collective competitive spirit. "To win this game against a team like that in a game where we actually got zero hits – that was just pure determination and grit from our young girls," Simmons said. "There was definitely a lot of excitement after this one knowing we had put ourselves in a position to play for the title. … Overall, I could not be prouder of these girls. They fought and grinded in 100-degree weather against girls older and bigger than them. Every game we played, opposing coaches and fans, and tournament officials complimented our girls and the way they played the game. "To go down there and perform the way they did in that environment was fun to watch. This experience for them will pay dividends as they all move forward individually and as a group." All of the players save for Allen and Anders will be eligible in the same classification next year. "Amelia and Shelby were great leaders and they gave us some good production," Simmons said. "We will definitely miss them. But all the others are league age 10 or 11, and hopefully we can make another run at it next summer. "But regardless of how that plays out, I think as we look forward to middle school and high school softball in the future, there is a lot to be excited about. And knowing these girls, they will embrace those expectations and keep working and getting better so they can be the best Blue Devils they can be." The Unicoi County Little League 9-11-year-old softball team lost both of its games over the weekend at the state tournament in Clarksville. St. Bethlehem swept Unicoi in the best-two-of-three series by scores of 12-2 and 17-4.