It wasn’t the way anyone wanted it to end for the Warren County High School softball team.
A picture of poise and calm over the week while claiming the Region 3AAA championship, the Lady Pioneers became prisoners of the moment in the sectionals against Siegel.
The Lady Stars rocked Warren County 14-0, capitalizing on a collection of miscues by the home team to end Warren County’s season one win away from the state tournament.
“It’s going to hurt tonight,” said coach Gooby Martin shortly after Friday’s loss. “I don’t want to see them leave or lose, and I certainly didn’t want them to go out this way. We just didn’t play good defensively tonight.”
Throws off the mark. Misplayed balls bouncing off gloves. A foot coming off the bag a second too early. Throws arriving a second too late. Everything that could have gone wrong defensively for Warren County did in the first three innings as Siegel built a commanding 10-0 lead.
The Lady Stars scored three runs in the first after two Warren County errors, then added four more in the second as the Lady Pioneers again had miscues that could’ve kept the visitors off the board. By the time Siegel plated three more in the third – again off Warren County errors – the deficit was too much.
Sophie Golliver lived up to expectations for the Lady Stars in the circle. The junior hurler was perfect through four innings, retiring 12 straight Lady Pioneers as her team built a 14-0 lead.
Sophomore Rhealee Johnson broke up her pursuit of perfection in the fifth, hitting a hard grounder up the middle that was too hot to handle. Freshman Madison Hollis and junior Calyn Damon followed with singles, but Warren County was unable to scratch across a run in the fifth.
It was tough for Martin to see it end, but the last half of the inning was what he’s come to expect from his scrappy squad.
“We didn’t quit. The girls went up there looking to hit. That’s what we do,” said Martin. “I’m proud of this team. They’ve done everything I’ve ever asked. They’re a great group of girls and great ball players. It’s sad to see them go out this way, but I’m proud of everything they’ve accomplished.”
Hollis took the hard-luck loss for the Lady Pioneers, pitching four innings before giving way to Sadie Simmons in the fifth. Hollis carried Warren County into the sectionals, pitching back-to-back shutouts against Walker Valley and Ooltewah before Siegel used miscues to break through.
With Hollis in the fold for three more years, and six more players who saw action Friday due back, Martin believes this team has a bright future.
“I think this will get them accustomed to this atmosphere. It was a crazy good crowd. I’m thankful for all of our fans who showed up to support this team,” said Martin. “The girls who return got a feel for this. If they put in the work, they’ll have a chance to be in this situation next year.”
Warren County will have to do it without six seniors, three of which will be playing in college next spring. Emily Mikkola, Hailey Wood and Ashton Whiles have all signed scholarships, while Maddie Cantrell, Marah Wanamaker and Grace Rains will also graduate next week.
They leave the program following back-to-back, 20-win seasons, along with claiming two district titles and the program’s first region championship. Their legacy will endure.
“I think they’ll talk about how this was the class to turn it around. They were good,” said Martin. “Their play on the field showed. Their accomplishments showed. We need girls like that to keep it going and I think we have girls who can step in and get us there again."
Warren County finishes the season 20-11-1. Siegel will advance to next week’s state tournament at MTSU, as will Ooltewah – the team the Lady Pioneers beat for the region championship. The Lady Owls topped Blackman 8-1 Friday.
