“We just ran out of gas,” commented East Central Community College coach Scott Hill moments after his fast-pitch softball team dropped a 10-2 decision to No. 2 seed Iowa Lakes early Saturday afternoon in an elimination game of the 2010 NJCAA Division II Softball Championship. The loss represented the Lady Warriors’ fourth contest within a 20-hour period and concluded participation in the three-day tournament held in Normal, Illinois.
Hill, who has led the College’s softball program for seven years, had nothing but praise for his history-making Lady Warriors who finished fourth in the prestigious tournament and completed season action with a 47-11 record.
“I am really proud of this team, although it was a little heart-breaking to suffer that loss and get put out of the tournament,” Hill commented as he and team members were en route Sunday to the Decatur campus. “But after having a little time to reflect, I think it is quite an accomplishment to finish as high (fourth) as we did. The two losses we suffered were to the #1 and #2 seeds in tournament, so we know we got beat by two very good teams.”
Hill’s squad is also full of talent and two players received honors in recognition of their success during the team’s three victories and two losses.
Freshman shortstop Kasie Buckley was named as the tournament’s most valuable offensive player and freshman pitcher Taylor Bailey was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Buckley, a product of Newton County High School, batted .636 with three home runs, a double and three singles and had seven RBIs during the five games. Bailey pitched in every game until being relieved by Buckley for the final two innings against Iowa Lakes. She allowed just five runs in the first four games. Bailey also batted .455 with five singles in the five games. She is a product of Bowie High School in Austin, Texas.
“It was certainly an honor for our program to have had two young ladies recognized for their play in the national tournament,” Hill said.
Hill also recognized his sophomore players, who include infielders Sierra Farlow and Hailey Chisolm, both of Neshoba Central, and Brittany Cochran of Newton County; outfielders Hannah Lee of Leake Academy and Emily Breland of Neshoba Central; and catcher/infielder Paige Holsen of Union.
“We owe a lot to our six sophomores for their leadership all season long,” said Hill. “They are all so very humble and we will miss them so much. Coach (Kristin) Chaney and everyone in this program are to be commended for all their hard work and dedication in seeing that this team accomplish so many goals that we set for ourselves.”
Hill is also appreciative of the support shown for the Lady Diamond Warriors, who qualified for the NJCAA Tourney as Region 23 Tournament champions.
“We have the best fans in the whole world. I want to thank those that made the trip and also those who were unable to make it but kept up with us throughout the tournament,” Hill said. “I also want to thank those who supported our team with their prayers, generous contributions and even snacks for the trip. We are truly appreciative for all their support.”
East Central, which entered the 16-team, double-elimination event as the No. 5 seed, had defeated No. 8 seed Mississippi Gulf Community College 4-2 Saturday morning and needed two more wins to reach the finals.
The Lady Diamond Warriors advanced to Saturday’s competition after defeating No. 4 seed Johnson County (Kansas) 7-2 Friday afternoon in a game delayed almost 24 hours due to the weather. EC fell 3-1 to top-seeded Kanakee (Illinois) Friday night for its first loss after beginning the three-day competition Thursday with a 7-0 shutout of No.12 seed Mott (Michigan).
ECCC 7, MOTT 0
The Lady Diamond Warriors began tournament competition by posting a 7-0 win Thursday (May 20) over Mott Community College of Flint, Michigan.
The Lady Diamond Warriors, who improved to 45-9 under seventh-year head coach Scott Hill, collected 15 hits in the easy victory and hurler Taylor Bailey improved to 25-7 in recording the shut-out.
Leading the EC offense were Summer Alexander, a product of Newton County High School, and Hannah Lee, who each belted a double and single.
Contributing two singles apiece were Lauren Nicholas of Neshoba Central, Morgan Malone of Madison Central and Taylor Bailey. Buckley was credited with a double, and Brittney Cochran and Paige Holsen had singles each. Nicholas, Alexander, Chisolm, Cochran and Holsen also had an RBI each.
Bailey got the win and improved to 25-7. She allowed just five hits and fanned six batters in the seven-inning matchup.
ECCC 7, JOHNSON COUNTY 2
Hannah Lee blasted a grand slam home run and Kasie Buckley added a three-run shot to lead EC in a 7-2 win over Johnson County (Kansas) early Friday night. Brittany Cochran also had a productive outing at the plate with three singles. Hailey Chislom contributed a double and single and Taylor Bailey was credited with two singles. Singles each were recorded by Summer Alexander, Paige Holsen and Morgan Malone of Madison Central.
Bailey was the winning pitcher, improving to 26-7. She fanned eight batters and allowed 10 hits in the seven-inning battle.
KANAKEE 3, ECCC 1
The Lady Diamond Warriors suffered their first tournament loss in a 3-1 decision to top-seed Kanakee Community College late Friday night.
EC managed just two hits in the setback – a double by Lauren Nicholas and a single by Brittany Cochran. Cochran scored on Hannah Lee’s sacrifice fly to center field.
Bailey (26-8) took the loss, allowing only one earned run on five hits.
ECCC 4, GULF COAST 2
Kasie Buckley’s two-run run homer in the top of the seventh inning gave the Lady Diamond Warriors a 4-1 lead and EC held on to defeat Gulf Coast 4-2 Saturday morning.
Buckley also had two singles and was credited with two RBIs.
Hannah Lee contributed a double and single, and Lauren Nicholas, Brittany Cochran collected two singles each. Bailey added a single.
Bailey was the winning pitcher, improving to 27-8. She allowed two runs on eight hits. She also fanned four batters and walked a batter.
IOWA LAKES 10, ECCC 2
The Lady Diamond Warriors were eliminated from tournament competition following a 10-2 loss to No. 2 Iowa Lakes Saturday afternoon.
EC grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning, when Kasie Buckley’s single to right field scored Hailey Chisolm who had earlier doubled.
Buckley homered in the fourth and stretched EC’s lead to 2-0; however, Iowa Lakes tied the contest in the bottom of the frame. After the Lady Warriors were unable to score in the fifth, Iowa Lakes grabbed the victory by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the inning and the was called due to the eight-run rule.
Bailey (27-9) took the loss. She allowed six earned runs on six hits. She also fanned six batters and walked one. Buckley hurled the final 2.3 inning, allowing two hits. She also walked a batter.