Pisgah Softball Ends Season in Final Four

The softball team saw its season end on Friday with a 2-0 loss to George Walton Academy in the GHSA playoffs. The Lady Patriots (25-6) advanced to the final four teams before being eliminated.

“The trip to Columbus was a surreal experience.  It was an honor to be one of the last four teams standing. I felt like we played well for three out of the four games we played, especially with this being the first time any of these girls had made it this far,” said head coach Haley Brooks. 

Pisgah opened the tournament with a 12-0 win over Brookstone, but were quickly sent to the losers’ bracket of the double elimination tournament after a 14-0 loss to Gordon Lee. The Patriots rebounded, scoring two runs in the seventh inning to knock out Calvary Day 10-8.

“We had a break down in the Gordon Lee game that hurt us.  I was very proud of the girls when they came back and battled for two games after that to make it to the final four,” said Brooks 

But on a rainy Friday night the Pisgah offense, which had rallied time and time again during the season, stalled and could not push across any runs. George Walton scored both runs in the sixth inning – one on a passed ball and the other on a close play at the plate.

“We were battling a couple of injuries, which made out defense a little shakier than usual. Nicole [Peters] was playing with a broken pinky on her throwing hand and Morgan Walters was playing with a shoulder problem that had been nagging her for some time.  My girls showed a lot of heart and fight,” Brooks said.

Earlier on Friday against Calvary Day, with the score tied 8-8 in the top of the seventh inning Morgan Walters led off with a single and advanced to second on a bunt by Courtney Condon. A bloop hit by Camille Tracy scored Walters to give Pisgah the lead. Avery White later tripled to score Tracy and give Pisgah an insurance run.

Calvary Day put their first two runners on in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Condon held the Cavaliers in check, striking out the last batter to end the game.

In the opening game against Brookstone, Pisgah cruised to a 12-0 win. The Lady Patriots got on the board early with Walters driving in a run with a first-inning double and Condon adding a sacrifice fly. In the second inning Jenn Sapp drove in two runs with a hit, Madison Claytor doubled to drive in another run and Walters caped off the inning with a home run to put Pisgah up 7-0.

The Patriots added five more runs in the third inning on RBI hits by Sapp, Walters and Condon.

“This season has been a huge success.  I feel like everyone has improved and we have really grown as a team and in our faith.  I feel that this season has given us the experience to climb a little higher next year,” Brooks commented. “I told the girls, ‘We went from Sweet Sixteen last year, to Final Four this year…we only have a little bit farther to go for next year!’”