The Eufaula Lady Ironheads (28-3) dominated Regional action defeating Westville 10-2 on Friday to win the Regional Tournament and punched their ticket to the Super Regionals. The game was a perfect example of a total team win. It had great pitching, infield and outfield play. Kadie Jo Tidwell had another great day at the catcher’s position.
“Championship game on Friday was the exact opposite, we came out hot, scoring three in the 1st inning & five in the 2nd inning anchored by a grand slam from Maddie, then we kinda cooled off offensively and had a couple walks and an error that lead to their 2 runs, but it didn’t affect us and we kept playing and won the Regional Ship and live to play another week.
These girls are strong together and really just having a lot of fun right now,” Eufaula head coach Ryan Green said. Eufaula led 3-0 after the first and added five more runs in the second inning after Maddie Ballard hit a grand slam homerun to take a 8-0 lead.
Eufaula senior Kate Pippenger started the scoring off for the Lady Ironheads as she connected on a double, scoring two runs and Rayleigh Peterson grounded out, scoring a run. The speed of Peterson fouled Westville as she had multiple stolen bases in the game.
In the second inning seniors Jadence Efurd singled, scoring a run and Madfie Ballard whacked a pitch for a grand slam to center field.
The entire team made great plays. In the outfield Jadence Efurd made a sliding catch for an out, Jana Hickman made a great catch and then threw a laser to second base for an out and center fielder Emma Lovett made a fantastic catch to end the inning.
The infield play of Hannah Needham, Kate Pippenger, Rayleigh Peterson and Maddie Ballard was terrific with the exception of a dropped pop fly. On one play Ballard made a splitting catch as she tagged first base with her toes for a quick Westville out. Freshman pitcher Leah Green continues to show signs of greatness as she surrendered two hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out five and walking three. Kate Pippenger led Eufaula at the plate going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs, Leah Green 3-for-5, Efurd 2-for-4 with an RBI, Peterson 1-for-3 with an RBI and Ballard 1-for-3 with 4 RBIs “The game was a solid win. It was a full team effort, and everyone played their role perfectly. I knew at the beginning of the season this team was going to be a special one, and let me tell you we are not done yet. I truly believe we follow Coach Green’s motto E.A.T. My Dad told us after the win that,”This is only one chapter in the book. “
I believe God and our team still have more to write,” Eufaula senior Jadence Efurd said.
“It was an unforgettable experience. This group of girls is super fun to play with, and I can’t wait to sep what we do next week,” Kate Pippenger said.
