Jay Neal
Jacksonville Daily Progress
JACKSONVILLE —
Progress staff reports
Progress staff reports
MILDRED, Texas — The Rusk Lady Eagles completed their blitz through the field Friday night by destroying host Mildred, 13-2, to earn the Texas Teenage Association Junior (13-14-year-olds) Girls Softball State Championship.
The Lady Eagles rolled through the five-day tourney undefeated as the Black and White notched convincing victories over Alba-Golden, Early, Whitehouse, and host Mildred to capture the coveted crown.
Rusk actually bested Mildred twice, downing the host unit 6-3 Friday morning before making easy work of Mildred, who beat Early 7-4 on Friday to earn the right for a re-match against Rusk’s finest, in the final game.
Offense was key to victory for the Lady Eagles as Rusk stroked out 14 hits in the championship tilt.
Mildred jumped out to take a 2-1 lead early on before Rusk plated three runners in the third frame and seven more in the top half of the fourth segment to move in front 12-2.
There were plenty of offensive heros for Rusk including Kara Hugghins who went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored, Juliann Bowling who went 2-for-3 while driving in one and scoring a pair of runs and Daniels who logged a 2-for-3 performance with a triple, a run scored and a stolen base.
Kylie Delaney also had a pair of safeties in three official trips to the dish for the Lady Eagles. She also knocked in two runs and scored once.
Kimberly Langston and Kaitlyn Sprayberry each had a pair of hits for the winners.
Sprayberry pounded out a triple, drove in four runs and scored twice for the Lady Eagles.
Jaclynn Dyess accounted for Rusk’s remaining hit.
Note: Head coach Trey Bowling’s team members include, Casey Abernathy, Kelsey Blankinship, Skylet Bobbitt, Juliann Bowling, Chelsie Daniels, Kylie Delaney, Jaclynn Dyess, Amy Holcomb, Kara Hugghins, Sydney Littlejohn, Taylor Sitton, Kaitlyn Sprayberry, Shayla Townsend, Kimberly Langston, Cheyenne Phillips and Gabriela Willis.
Offense was key to victory for the Lady Eagles as Rusk stroked out 14 hits in the championship tilt.
Mildred jumped out to take a 2-1 lead early on before Rusk plated three runners in the third frame and seven more in the top half of the fourth segment to move in front 12-2.
There were plenty of offensive heros for Rusk including Kara Hugghins who went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored, Juliann Bowling who went 2-for-3 while driving in one and scoring a pair of runs and Daniels who logged a 2-for-3 performance with a triple, a run scored and a stolen base.
Kylie Delaney also had a pair of safeties in three official trips to the dish for the Lady Eagles. She also knocked in two runs and scored once.
Kimberly Langston and Kaitlyn Sprayberry each had a pair of hits for the winners.
Sprayberry pounded out a triple, drove in four runs and scored twice for the Lady Eagles.
Jaclynn Dyess accounted for Rusk’s remaining hit.
Note: Head coach Trey Bowling’s team members include, Casey Abernathy, Kelsey Blankinship, Skylet Bobbitt, Juliann Bowling, Chelsie Daniels, Kylie Delaney, Jaclynn Dyess, Amy Holcomb, Kara Hugghins, Sydney Littlejohn, Taylor Sitton, Kaitlyn Sprayberry, Shayla Townsend, Kimberly Langston, Cheyenne Phillips and Gabriela Willis.
