State softball tournament comes to end

by osie Fox josie@thecherokeean.com
Alto Heartbreakers
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Cherokee County softball teams travelled near and far last week, all with the dream of securing a state championship title. Despite rain delays for several teams and stressful double-headers, the local teams pushed through with a couple of teams advancing several rounds into the championship tournament.

6U Girls T-Ball

The Sassy Sluggers headed into this year’s tournament undefeated, and won their first game on Monday against the Salado Diamonds. Unfortunately the team would fall during round two against the China Spring Aces. The Sluggers went up against the Rockdale Heartbreakers on Wednesday, with the Heartbreakers advancing to the fourth round of play.

The Alto Glitter Girls started district play with a loss in the first round against the Groesbeck Diamond Divas, with Groesbeck winning. For round two, the Glitter Girls went up against the Buffalo Lady Bisons, with Buffalo securing the win and advancing to third round play.

Alba-Golden Crush would advance undefeated through tournament play to bring home the state champion title.

8U Girls Coach Pitch

Rusk played host to 19 teams competing for the state championship title for 8U Girls Coach Pitch last week.

Rusk, Alto and Troup all fell in their first round of play on Monday.

During round two play on Tuesday Troup Thunder squared off against the Denison Buzz, securing a win and advancing to the next round of game play. Troup would go on to win games against the Corsicana Tigers, Whitehouse Lady Cats and Hubbard Extreme before falling to Temple Royalty on Thursday night. That loss would mark their second loss of the tournament and would end their season.

The Alto Heartbreakers played their round two game against Hubbard Extreme, with Hubbard claiming the win and advancing into the next round of game play.

The Rusk Bearcats came back from their first round loss to win round two against the Elkhart Rangers. Following that win on Tuesday, the Bearcats would go on to play their second game of the night against the Denison Wolf Pack. The Bearcats triumphed over the Wolf Pack, advancing to the next round of game play on Wednesday against the Rockdale Hot Shots. Unfortunately, a loss to the Hot Shots would end the season for the Bearcats.

Taking home the state champion title for the 8U Girls Coach Pitch were the Axtell Tindle.

10U Girls

The Jacksonville Texas A&M team was one of 22 teams that converged on Corsicana y to battle for the state championship in 10U Girls softball. Jacksonville Texas A&M went into district play undefeated and their performance in district earned them a spot in the championship tournament. Jacksonville faced off against Salado Aftershock in the first round of play with Jacksonville securing the win. Jacksonville would fall to Corsicana Sassy Bats in round two of game play, but would advance to face off against Crawford Parker in round three play. Crawford Parker would go on to win round three play, ending the season for Jacksonville.

The Grand Saline Trophy Hunters would advance through tournament play, securing the state championship title.

12U Girls

Troup Shockwave traveled to Clifton for state tournament game play. Troup game play was originally set to begin on Monday last week, but inclement weather led to officials calling a postponement and game play commenced on Tuesday. Troup played round one against the Fruitvale Lady Cats, securing a win and advancing to play Academy Lady Sting for round two. The Lady Sting won the second round game, but Troup would advance to play the Dawson Lady Bulldogs in round three play. Troup secured wins in round three and four of game play, defeating first the Lady Bulldogs and the Crockett Outlawz. Troup would suffer their second loss of the tournament, and end their championship run, during game play on Friday against the Gatesville Hydro-Dillo Graphics.
Advancing through each round and winning the championship title was the Crockett Fireballs.

15U Girls

Rusk Velocity and Rusk Lady Eagles traveled to Denison to vie for the state championship title in the 15U Girls softball league.

Officials called the games due to impending weather and games were moved to begin last Tuesday morning.
The Lady Eagles and Velocity each won their first round of game play, setting them up to play each other in round two. Rusk Velocity would win that match up, advancing to round three play where they fell against the Moody Lady Bearcats. Velocity would suffer their second loss of the tournament against Troy Elite, ending their season fifth in the state.

The Lady Eagles would advance to round three game play against the Comanche Maidens, with Comanche taking the win.

Winning the 15U Girls state championship title were the Moody Lady Bearcats.