Lady Indians Season Ends in Carrollton

An exhilarating start ended with heartbreak for the Stephens County Lady Indians.

After grabbing a win in extra innings on Tuesday night in Carrollton, the Lady Indians lost leads in both games on Wednesday and fell to Central of Carrollton two games to one in the best of three series opening round of the AAAA State Playoffs.

In the first game of the day, Stephens County’s Emma Whitfield broke open a scoreless tie with a 3rd inning Grand Slam Home Run. Central High got solo home runs from Taylor Stevens in the 4th inning and Addi Lyle in the 5th to pull within 4-2. The Lady Indians Tyra Hunter answered with a solo shot of her own to increase the lead to 5-2.

Central’s huge inning came in the top of the 6th. as rain started to fall, the Lady Lions scored 5 runs on 4 hits to take a 7-5 lead. The Lady Indians pulled within one when Aly Singletary scored on a Jasmine Lowery ground ball, but that was as close as they would get, and Central took Game Two of the series 8-6.

In the third and deciding game, Stephens County scored two in the top of the first to grab a 2-0 lead. Lowery and Laney McGee opened the game with singles. Lowery scored on a Hunter ground ball, and McGee scored on a wild pitch. Unfortunately, that is all the Lady Indians would score in a game they stranded 13 base runners and fell 4-2.

Stephens County Head Coach Dave Poffenberger says it was a great season. “Very proud of the ladies. They did a great job. They fought hard and have never given up. They are very competitive and the leadership from the three seniors was just outstanding. I told them after the game that they taught the underclassmen things that can’t be learned anywhere else but the ball field. It has been quite a ride.”

The three seniors Emma Whitfield, Kaylee Sellers, and Ashton Ayers have all been key players in the success of Lady Indians Softball the past four years. Whitfield has committed to play at Clemson University next year, and Poffenberger says all three have the talent. “I think all three have the ability to play at the next level” says Poffenberger; ” It has been my pleasure to be a part of their high school softball career, and I wish them nothing but the best.”

The Lady Indians finish the season with a record of 16-12. Central of Carrollton will now travel to Heritage of Catoosa in the 2nd round. Madison County and Oconee County also advanced from Region-8.