Fannin Falls in Columbus
Featured Stories October 31, 2011
The Fannin Lady Rebels fast pitch softball team’s unprecedented run to the “Elite Eight” in Columbus Georgia came to an end. The Lady Rebels will “Remember the Titans” of Blessed Trinity, who used the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game 4-3 knocking Fannin out of the double elimination tournament. Fannin fell in the first game of the weekend 5-0 to the Pirates of Pike County.Fannin’s fall began in the first round of the “Elite Eight” when the Lady Rebels uncharacteristically committed five errors, all in the first two innings.
“We hadn’t committed more than two (errors) all year,”
head coach David Dyer said.
Pike County turned those errors into four runs, and the Lady Rebels were down 4-0 before the third inning started. A Pike County RBI ground rule double in the bottom of the fifth made the score 5-0.
(Photo by LT Melton)
The Lady Rebels tried to mount a comeback in the top of the sixth, when Candace “Blitzkrieg” German led off with a walk, and Missy Dixon followed with what appeared to be a sure fire Fannin RBI double; however, she was called out for stepping on the plate during her swing, and Fannin eventually fell 5-0.
The Lady Rebels were regal against the Lady Royals of Bleckley County, winning 3-0. Fannin clearly felt better going into the game, and it showed as Alexis Collis scored Fannin’s first run, when “Wonder Twin” Ashley Watkins’ RBI single drove her home.
The Lady Royals, did not go away easily, as Bleckley loaded the bases in the bottom of the third with one out; however, a double play ended the inning.
Fannin scored two more runs in top of the seventh. Dixon’s RBI sacrifice fly scored Josie Millsaps. Following a Fannin ground out, “Blitzkrieg” German scored on a failed Lady Royals’ pick off attempt on third base. A three up three down bottom of the seventh defensive effort secured the Lady Rebels’ win.
The Lady Rebels faced the Blessed Trinity Titans, in what was to be the Fannin’s final game of the 2011 season. The Titans drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning, due to an overthrow at second base.
(Photo by LT Melton)
The Lady Rebels came roaring back in the top of the second, when Sadie Golden’s two run single scored Natalie McLaughlin and Mallory Deal. However, the Titans tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the inning.
McLaughlin’s lead off solo home run in the top of the fourth was no laughing matter, giving Fannin a 3-2 lead that lasted until the bottom of the inning, when the Titans tied the game again.
Each team fought hard to win the game, with both teams making a plethora of defensive plays throughout the game, including one diving catch by McLaughlin and Alexis Collis putting a runner out at first while spinning in mid jump.
The game was tied going into the bottom of the seventh, when an RBI single sealed Fannn’s fate.
Coach Dyer had nothing but praise for his team, as he lauded the “great journey” that his team had just went on.
He said, “I don’t fought them, their great kids and they battled.”
Dyer credited the strength of schedule for his teams’ ability to get to Columbus. Dyer pointed out that “13 of our 16 losses, (the teams) are right here.”