Lady Crusaders Play In State Tourney In Columbus
The Robert Toombs Christian Academy (RTCA) Lady Crusaders softball team competed in the GIAA Class A State Tournament last week, facing a challenging three-game run that ultimately ended their season. The team showed resilience, overcoming a tough first loss with a commanding win before falling in a tight third game. vs. Thomas Jefferson
The Lady Crusaders' tournament started with a 5-2 loss to the Thomas Jefferson Academy Lady Jaguars on Thursday. Despite out-hitting their opponents 7 hits to 5, RTCA couldn't overcome an early deficit.
The Lady Jaguars jumped to a quick 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on an error and a couple of singles. RTCA responded with 1 run in the bottom of the frame, but Thomas Jefferson extended their lead to 5-1 in the fourth. RTCA plated 1 more run in the bottom of the fourth, but the comeback stalled, resulting in the 5-2 final.
Amelia Mercer and Anna Kate Joyner led the offensive effort, each collecting 2 hits. Both Joyner and Annabelle Coe drove in 1 run apiece. Coe started in the circle, giving up 5 hits and 5 runs (only 1 earned) over 7 innings while striking out 4. vs. Twiggs Aca.
After the initial loss, the Lady Crusaders bounced back strong in their second game, defeating the Twiggs Academy Lady Trojans 11-3 later that Thursday. A massive 8-run sixth inning powered the victory.
Twiggs took a 2-0 lead in the second inning before Braylin Pittman doubled in the third to tie the game. Anna Kate Joyner’s sacrifice fly in the fourth gave RTCA a brief 3-2 lead, but Twiggs tied it again in the fifth.
The floodgates opened for RTCA in the sixth. Key hits included Mary Frances Stanley’s run-scoring triple, Chesney Burch’s RBI single, Braylin Pittman’s RBI single, and Annabelle Coe’s RBI single.
Lizzie Sapp earned the win, pitching 6 innings and allowing 5 hits and 3 runs (2 earned), while striking out 1.
The RTCA offense totaled 12 hits. Annabelle Coe was 3-for-4, and Braylin Pittman was 2-for-4, leading the team with 3 runs batted in. Chesney Burch also collected 2 hits and stole 2 of the team's 5 bases. vs. Crisp Aca.
The Lady Crusaders' State Tournament run came to an end on Friday in a tough 6-4 loss to the Crisp Academy Lady Wildcats.
RTCA initially looked dominant, building a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on RBIs from Annabelle Coe (2-run single), Mary Frances Stanley (RBI double), and Chesney Burch (RBI groundout).
Crisp Academy began to chip away, scoring 2 runs in the fifth and tying the game in the sixth. The heartbreaker came in the top of the seventh. With the score tied 4-4, Crisp singled to bring home 2 runs, taking a 6-4 lead that they held on to for the win.
The Lady Crusaders fought hard throughout the tournament, securing a solid win against Twiggs Academy and showing determination in both losses. The team’s run ends at the State Tournament, capping a competitive season.
