West Point 16 and under, 12 and under softball teams begin play in state tournments

Published 10:27 pm Monday, July 8, 2019

AUGUSTA — A pair of West Point softball teams began play in the state bracket this past weekend.

The defending state champion 16 and under team defeated Columbus American LL Cougars 18-8 in its opening game on Sunday after receiving a first-round bye.

McKayla Chambers drove in five runs on three hits to lead West Point LL Senior League in the effort. Chambers drove her RBIs on a double in the second inning, and a double in the fifth inning.

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An early lead helped propel West Point LL Senior League to the opening-victory. West Point LL Senior League scored on a single by Natalie Lovelace, a single by Savanna Bryant, and a stolen base by Chambers in the first inning.

Miranda Butler led things off in the circle for West Point LL Senior League. Butler went six innings, allowing eight runs on 13 hits, striking out four and walking zero batters.

Ansley Maley toed the rubber for Columbus American LL Cougars. She went five and two-thirds innings, allowing 18 runs on 17 hits and striking out four.

West Point LL Senior League smacked one home run on the day, when Bryant went for the long ball in the third inning.

West Point LL Senior League tallied 17 hits on the day. Chambers, Lovelace, Bryant, Jennifer Albertson, Ava Brown, Madison Chandler, and Butler each collected multiple hits for West Point LL Senior League. Lovelace and Chambers each collected three hits to lead West Point LL Senior League.

Columbus American LL Cougars saw the ball well on Sunday as well, racking up 13 hits in the game. Prather, Rodriguez, and Wilburn all managed multiple hits for the Columbus American LL Cougars.

West Point LL Senior League lost the second game in the bracket on Monday night  7-5, but the team is expected to return to action on Tuesday in the double-elimination bracket. 

12 and under

After losing the first game of the tournament to Oconee 13-11, the 12 and under softball all-stars defeated Bartow County 11-1 on Sunday.

West Point LL 12U All-Stars put up ten runs in the first inning of the victory. The offensive onslaught came from doubles by Carson Cooper, Kali Harper, Hadilee Arnold, and Cooper, a walk by Kaitlyn Smalley, a hit by pitch RBI and a single by Gabby Coleman.

Smalley earned the victory in the pitcher’s circle for West Point LL 12U All-Stars. She lasted three innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out four.  Harper threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Harper recorded the last three outs to earn the save for West Point LL 12U All-Stars.

West Point LL 12U All-Stars tallied nine hits in the game. Emily Jo Mathews, Harper and Cooper all managed multiple hits for West Point LL 12U All-Stars.  Cooper, Harper and Mathews all had two hits to lead West Point LL 12U All-Stars.  West Point LL 12U All-Stars was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error.