The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On March 23rd the Southern Belles opened their 2002 softball campaign against a 1st year coop, North Fulton (Valley-Cuba).
In the past these two teams have been very good by themselves and when you put them together they are definitely a conference and regional contender.
In the first game of the day Paige Taylor pitched an outstanding game holding North Fulton to 4 hits while striking our five.
Brittany Burgus was just as effective as she held the Belles to two hits while striking out 8.
One run was all North Fulton would need as they defeated the Belles 1-0.
In game 2, Mindy Morrison took the mound for the Belles. Both teams showed a little more offense as North Fulton scored 2 runs in the second inning.
That would be all they would get as the Belle defense shut down a very good hitting team.
In the 5th inning Kim Waddell reached on a walk, Mindy Morrison reached on an error and Laura Symmonds came up and hit a triple driving Waddell and Morrison in.
Three pitches later Symmonds plated the go ahead run on a passed ball. Mindy Morrison struck out 2 of the last 3 batters to gain the win.
Abby Burkhead took the loss for North Fulton. Both pitchers again threw excellent games for this early in the season.
Southern
North Fulton
Southern
North Fulton
On April 1 the 1-1 Belles went to Knoxville to face an Olympic conference team. It was very cold but the Belle fans were in full force to see another very good game.
Rachel Manning took the mound for the Belles and threw a very nice game considering how cold it was.
Knoxville scored one run in each of the first two innings. The Belles came back and picked up a run in the third and 2 in the fifth to go ahead.
Knoxville came back and plated runs in the bottom of the fifth and that would be all it would take as the Belles could not get any runners across in the seventh.
They did mount a rally as Mindy Morrison lead off the 7th with a single, stole 2nd and 3rd but was picked off at 3rd by a nice play by the Knoxville catcher and shortstop.
The Belles weren't done as Laura Symmonds and Ashlie Cargill were both on 2nd and 3rd before Vicki Tapscott grounded out to end the game 4-3.
Leading Hitters
Southern
Knoxville
Winning Pitcher: Jones 4K 5W 4H 3E
Losing Pitcher: Manning (0-1) 9K 5W 7H 3E
On April 5, the 1-2 Belles opened up at home against Abingdon.
Once again Paige Taylor took the mound and threw another gem of a game.
The Belles were a little shaky in front of the home town fans as Abingdon scored 3 runs in the first inning.
The Belles came right back as Mindy Morrison lead off with a single and Callie Burgdorf made it look easy as she hit a 2 run shot over the center field fence.
Ashlie Cargill reached on an error, stole 2nd, reached on a sacrifice and scored on a passed ball to knot the game at 3.
The 3rd inning was a big one that blew the game open as Mindy Morrison, Burgdorf and Cargill all singled to spark a 9 run 3rd inning on the way to a 17-4 defeat of the Lady Commandos.
Paige did an excellent job keeping the Lady Commandos off balance on the way to her 1st win. The Belles pulled back to the 500 mark at 2-2 and will play Union on Wednesday, April 10th at Stronghurst.
Leading Hitters
Southern
Abingdon
Winning Pitcher: Taylor (1-1) 4K 2W 3H 2E
Losing Pitcher: Landon 5K 3W 8H 4E
On April 10th, the (2-2) Belles hosted the Lady Yankees (2-2). Both teams featured freshman pitchers. Mindy Morrison and Ashley Johnson both threw very nice games.
The Union softball program has come a long way, they are a very solid team and with the pitching they have, should win their share of games.
The Belles picked up 5 runs over 7 innings and controlled the game most of the way.
Union put together a 7th inning 2 run rally until Callie Burdorf put together an unassisted double play to end the game.
At this point in the year the way the weather has been it's hard to get any kind of consistency going but the Belles are doing any excellent job of doing what they are asked to do.
They have learned a lot and are exciting to watch.
We don't have too many home games this year but we are hosting the Regional. If you get a chance to get out on a rare warm spring afternoon, come out and support the girls.
We appreciate all the fan support we've had in this less than desirable weather.
Leading Hitters
Southern
Union
Winning pitcher: Morrison (2-0) 8K 7W 4H 3E
Losing pitcher: A. Johnson (2-3) 4K 4W 8H 0E