News

Ladycats dominate Crusaders

By MELISSA BURNSED

Bridgette Williams with a hit

The Baker County Ladycats continued to roll through their opponents, with another big victory in the Class 4A Florida softball semifinal game Friday night. The team drew a huge home crowd for the showdown with the 16 and 7, Bishop Kenny Crusaders. The Baker Ladies didn’t disappoint their fans during the 5 to 1 win.

"I couldn’t be anymore prouder of these girls. They don’t quit from start to finish. Our team has played as a team not as individuals. I have never seen such team unity in all my ten years at Baker County," said Head Coach Cheryl Nunn. She added, "God has been good to us this year."

The Ladycats are led by three seniors, who will all be playing on the collegiate level next year. Caitlyn Griffis, Brittany Hansen and Jessi Nunn will all be signing letters of intent once the season is over. The trio have scholarship offers from Lake

Tiffany Smith puts one across the plate

Sumter Community College, in Leesburg Florida.

Nunn and her assistants have relied on two underclasswomen pitchers to achieve the teams impressive 23 and 3 record. The tandem of Cami Craig and Tiffany Smith have proven to be a riddle that other teams batters just can’t solve.

Smith started the game and threw six well controlled scoreless innings, only giving up two walks while striking out seven. Craig came in the seventh and closed out the game, after allowing only a solo homerun to cross the plate.

The Ladycats offensive was quiet until the third inning when they put three on the scoreboard. Kristen Wilkinson reached on a fielding error, followed by Ashley Curry with a single. Jessi Nunn

Jessi Nunn with the catch

loaded the bases when the Crusaders committed their second error of the inning.

With two outs, pitcher Tiffany Smith made the Bishop Kenny squad pay for their mistakes when she drew a walk to force the Ladycats first run in. Krista Smith added to the Crusaders suffering when she stepped into the batters box and crushed a two run double to put the hometown girls up 3-0.

The Crusaders were shut down in the top of the fourth and Baker County’s offense went back to work. Wilkinson started off the two out rally with a single. Nunn and Curry slapped out their own back to back singles to load the bases. Then Ashley Holton and Tiffany Smith drew walks to push two more runs in for the Ladycats.

Fans packing the stands and sidelines cheered as the Baker defense ticked off out after out over the next two innings. Ahead 5 to 0, reliever Cami Craig stepped to the circle and locked up the win, despite surrendering a solo homerun to the lead off batter.

Ashley Curry connects

Baker County will hit the road for their next game. The regional finals will be hosted by Navarre High School, which is located in the Florida panhandle west of Fort Walton Beach. The game will be played on Tuesday night.

The Navarre Raiders have a 19 and 5 record that includes play off wins over Tallahassee Godby and Wakulla.

Coach Nunn is hoping that the teams fans will travel over to support her team as they battle for the regional title and a berth in the state semifinals.

"Our fans have been awesome and we will need them backing us up. The girls have responded really well to their support," she said.

Coach Nunn gives Holton a pep talk

Cami Craig relieves Tiffany Smith

photos by Jud Johnson www.judjohnsonphoto.com

Ashley Curry eyeing third base

Tiffany Smith dusts the catcher’s glove

Nunn reaches 1st after the first baseman loses the ball

The crowd cheers the girls to victory

Caitlyn Griffis with the hit

Nunn makes it to first