Lady Panthers finish fifth in state
By JARED PUTNAM

Brittany Massey-Lentz robs Savannah Christian of a hit.

The Lady Panthers softball team finished a remarkable season by notching one victory at the State Finals in Columbus last week, securing a spot as one of the top five Class AA Fastpitch Softball teams in Georgia.

"I think we opened a lot of eyes this year," said Head Coach Jessica Stewart. In her rookie season as head coach, Stewart led the team farther than many expected, including her.

"You don't really expect to do that well your first year," said the coach. "Nobody expected us to go that far. April [Harper] playing this year had a lot to do with it."

The coach said that she knew coming in that the team had the talent, it was just a matter of them believing it. "They had to get it in their minds and get used to winning," said Coach Stewart. "They had to taste it. They now know that they can do it and I think next year will be even better."

The coach said that the team's performance was more than she could have ever asked for. "I couldn't be any more proud," said Coach Stewart. "Winning in Sectionals was huge and I felt like everything we got in State was a bonus. They have proven themselves to me and the community."

April Harper gets a high five from Head Coach Jessica Stewart after getting out of a jam in the fifth inning. Savannah Christian loaded the bases with no outs but Harper struck out the next three hitters to keep the game tied.

Union 12 - Jeff Davis 4

The Lady Panthers got off to a strong start against Jeff Davis as three runners reached base in the second via singles. Ashley Beltinck came up with a two-run double to put Union on top early. Union built a 4-0 but Jeff Davis cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning. Union padded its lead in the fifth inning as Beltinck added two more RBI. Brittany Massey-Lentz, Jess Seabolt, and Brooklyn Swartz also drove in runs in the inning. The Lady Panthers went on to a comfortable win over a talented team that came out of the winner's bracket in the south. "It was a good win," said Coach Stewart. "Our bats came alive again."

Union 1 - GAC 9

The Lady Panthers looked like they were going to pick up right where they left off, as Jess Seabolt started the matchup against GAC off with a homerun in the leadoff at-bat. "[The GAC pitcher] is an outstanding pitcher," said Coach Stewart. "That was a huge homerun for Jess and that was her first one." But GAC, the top ranked

Shortstop Kaley Sullivan applies the tag to the Savannah Christian baserunner.

team in the state, responded quickly by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. They never looked back, going on to win 9-1. "We had a lot of errors," said the coach. Seabolt finished the game with two of the Lady Panthers three hits.

Union 1 - S.C. 2

Union played a very tight game against Savannah Christian, as Senior Lauren Dyer tied the game 1-1 when she blasted a solo homerun over the center field wall in the bottom of the fifth inning. The game remained tied through the seventh, forcing an eighth inning in which Savannah Christian scored the winning run. "We should have won and I

hated to end the season like that," said Coach Stewart. "April pitched the best game she has pitched all year. She had 16 strikeouts and only one hit, but lost. That shouldn't happen." The coach said that defensive lapses hurt the most. "You can't make 6 errors and win [a close ga me]."

Lauren Dyer hit this single to center in the final at bat of her high school career.

The team loses seniors Dana Seabolt, Lauren Dyer, Bridget Garrett, Alicia Morrow, and Jess Seabolt to graduation, but while those losses will hurt, Coach Stewart is confident that the talent coming up can fill the holes. "Our jv team only lost two games and we'll have some of them coming up," said the coach.

Catch Ashley Beltinck will replace Dyer behind the plate. "Ashley is going to be outstanding," said Coach Stewart. "She's got an awesome arm."

Freshman Billie Odom also figures to see more time on the mound as the departure of Dana Seabolt leaves the team with a void at the number two starter position. "Billie is really going to have to step in," said Coach Stewart. "She did outstanding at jv. She's going to have to pitch at the varsity level eve n though she [will only be] a sophomore."

Third baseman Amanda Mason fields the ground ball as Kaley Sullivan comes over to back her up. Top: Dana Seabolt shovels to Brooklyn Swartz. Bottom: The seniors together after the final game. The girls trot off the field after congratulating Lauren Dyer on her game-tying homerun.