Featured image: Coaches: Head coach Keith Pettis, Assistant coaches: Todd Dismuke, Paul Ellis.
2 Lilly Rowell- Geraldine, 04 Haley Lisenbee- Sandrock, 9 Mia Tidmore- Plainview, 10 Riley Jones- Crossville, 11 Jaden Dismuke- Crossville, 12 Lily Boswell- Plainview, 14 Livia Cowart- Fyffe, 21 Emily Ellis- Fort Payne, 24 Lydia West- Geraldine, 25 Hannah Buffington- Fort Payne, 34 Bella Pettis- Fyffe.
By Marla Jones, Sports Editor
GULF SHORES, Ala.— The Xplosion 4 girls softball team recently competed in the National Championship Southeast ( USSSA World Series).
The team played nine games total in a three pool, six bracket games. The first game started Wednesday against the SandLot Sisters from Louisiana, Xplosion won 10-1. The second game on Wednesday was agaisnt the Intimidators from Louisiana. The Explosion won 10-1. Explosion played Game three on Thursday against the 007's also from Louisiana, and lost 2-1. Game four held on Thursday was against the Cole Minnows from Arkansas, Xplosion won 8-1. On Friday, Explosion played Game five against the Nola Lightening from Louisiana which they won 6-2. Game six on Friday was against the Pace Fierce Elite from Florida, Xplosion put another win on the board, with a score of 6-1. Game seven on Friday was against the Impact Gold from Louisiana. The girls won this one 4-2. On Saturday only two undefeated teams remained and Xplosion had to face La Lightening 03 from Louisiana for Game 8 of the series. Xplosion won in in international tie breaker 6-3. This win advanced the Xplosion 4 to the championship game. For the Championship Game and Game 9 of the World Series, Xplosion won against LA Lightening 03, 16-3. The game was called in the bottom of the 3rd by run rule to end the game that was scheduled for 7 innings.
Two individual awards were given for the tournament, MVP pitcher went to Lydia West from Xplosion. MVP of the tournament went to Jaden Dismuke also of Xplosion. These awards were decided on by a group of twelve USSSA committee members.
The coaches of the Xplosion 04 team could not be prouder of the effort of these young ladies. " I am at a loss for words these girls have worked hard all year to receive this honor. Winning the world series was a goal that these girls set at the beginning of the year and were determined and motivated to achieve it. They put in countless hours of practice and hard work and it paid off big time. These girls battled 95 degree weather, older competition , but they never let that stop them. All the girls made sacrifices for this victory. The defense was flawless almost perfect, we outscored our opponents 67-15 in 9 games” said Head Coach Keith Pettis. “To win against such strong competition is just amazing. I feel humble but proud to be part of such an amazing group of girls, parents, and coaches, and team. Champions are made at practice is a favorite quote of mine. These girls deserve to be called National Champions. "
"These girls are a true team, unselfish, driven, and simply put winners. These young ladies have a great work ethic, and are able to perform at the highest level in pressure situations” said Assistant Coach Paul Ellis. “I am so proud of these girls for winning the world series but much more proud of the class they exhibited throughout the tournament. They represented themselves, team, and family, with honor."
"The first team meeting right before the beginning of the first game I ask the girls why they were here they told me they were here to win. Then I ask them why every other team was here, they answered they are probably here to win too. That's when I told the girls that our why had to be bigger than everyone else why. And out of 37 teams they proved that their why was bigger” said Assistant Coach Todd Dismuke. “As a team we hit the ball as well as we have ever hit it from the first pitch to the last. Pitching and defense and baserunning were solid. Overall effort from the girls was tremendous.”
Southern Torch would like to say Congratulation to the Xplosion o4. You make Northeast Alabama proud!
