Two Dixie teams still chasing titles
By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Two of the three Dixie softball teams from Hartselle remain in contention for national titles after picking up wins in the 2009 Dixie World Series in Sumter, S.C. Monday.
The Hartselle Angels beat Florida 14-2 Monday at Patriot Park Sportsflex in an elimination game.
The Angels were scheduled to face Mississippi Tuesday night in a game played after press time. In the other half of the Angels’ bracket, North Carolina will take on Tennessee.
Hartselle opened the tournament with a 3-0 victory over North Carolina after rallying in the seventh inning.
A 7-2 loss to Sumter, S.C. put Hartselle in the loser’s bracket, but the Alabama representatives scored a 6-5 victory over Texas in six innings and the win over Florida to stay alive.
The Angels all-stars consist of Reagan Bowling, Kennadi Hogan, Calli Partlow, Rose Braun, Tori Blaylock, Gracie Poe, Lindsey Robinson, Courtney Blackwood, Reagan Martin, Kenzie Parker, Anna Mathis and Karly Agee. Derek Parker is the team’s head coach, while Danny Ikard, Tim Martin and Aaron Agee are assistants.
Hartselle’s Darlings - the defending World Series champions - beat Arkansas 15-9 and Mississippi 18-7 in the first two days of the tournament before suffering a 7-4 setback to Tennessee.
The loss to Tennessee was the team’s first loss in post-season play.
Hartselle rebounded to beat Texas Monday night in an elimination game at the Bobby Richardson Complex.
The Hartselle Darlings were scheduled to face Louisiana Tuesday night.
Members of the Hartselle Darlings are Hannah Grace Bevis, Chaney Dutton, Bailee Fincher, Emma Fincher, Paige Garner, Josie Halbrooks, Emma Hogan, Macie Holder, Alexis Rice, Carrington Standridge, McKenzie Worley and Natalie Zuck.
Brandon Dutton is the team’s head coach, while Chad Bevis, Terry Zuck and Keith Halbrooks serve as assistant coaches.
Hartselle’s Ponytails went 2-2 in the tournament, losing to North Carolina 4-3 in an elimination game.
Hartselle opened the tournament with a tough 1-0 loss to Virginia, but came back strong with wins over Texas (6-2) and Georgia (3-2) at Patriot Park Sportsflex.
Members of the Hartselle Ponytails are Jada Hayes, Kelly Thrasher, Maddie White, Klyne Osborne, Hannah Jenkins, Hope Cain, M.J. Wooley, Riley Corum, Sydney Crow, Ali Forth, Callie Garner, and Anna Stinson. John David Watson is the team’s head coach, while Greg Cain, Marion Burgess and Reggie Corum are serving as assistants.
The 2009 World Series was scheduled to conclude Wednesday.
