The Decatur Daily published its All
Area 3A-1A Softball team, June 15. This all star team recognizes the
best softball players in the area. Elkmont had two players that were
selected to the first team this year.
Designated Hitter: Brandi Bentley
The sophomore catcher hit .337 with
five homers for the Red Devils. This is her second year on the first
team all area. She was a honorable mention as an eighth grader
Outfield: Rebekah Inman
This year as a sophomore, Rebekah the Lady Devils with a .452 batting average with a homer and seven doubles.
Honorable Mention:
Bailee Gooch
Stephanie Peek
Special thanks to Down Home Portraits - Elkmont's Sports Photographers
The Athens News Courier released it
MVP County Softball teams, June 22. The Elkmont Lady Devils had a five
players that were recognized for outstanding individual seasons.
Congrads to our softball ladies.
First Team:
Brandi Bentley-Elkmont
Rebekah Inman-Elkmont
Morgan Hughes-Ardmore
Miranda Mitchell-Ardmore
Marissa Barnes-Clements
Alysia Anderson-Clements
Kaleigh Tribble-East Limestone
Kailynn Pressnell-Tanner
Tesslynn Howard-West Limestone
Second Team:
Stephanie Peek-Elkmont
Chelsie Vining-Elkmont
Stratton Hobbs-Ardmore
Alexus Morrison-Ardmore
Danielle Scholl-Clements
Daraisha McCullough-Clements
Preslee Powers-East Limestone
Hope Dildine-West Limestone
Breanna Tarpley-West Limestone
Honorable Mention:
Autumn Davis-Elkmont
Cayla Dendy-Clements
Karlie Turner-Clements
Haley Riddle-East Limestone
Kasie Suttles-East Limestone
Kirstin Brown-Tanner
Kari Elliott-Tanner
Madison Hastings-West Limestone
Link to USFA tournament bracket
More will be posted as info comes in.
Saturday Morning:
Well.....our spring season is over. Lost 3-2 in ITB again....heartbreaking again but we are going to try and enjoy the last night here! The Sparks came in sixth in the World Series so that is something to be excited about.
Friday Night: Sparks win 5-1! Next game at 9:30 am. Sparks are assured a sixth place finish but they are still looking to win a championship.
Friday Morning:
Sparks won 11-5! They beat MJ Elite; Next game at 8 pm tonight!
Thursday Night:
Sparks lost 5-4 in ITB. Just have to do this the hard way....win out of the loser's bracket! Back at it at 9:30 in the am!
Wednesday:
Sparks win against Impact Gold 8-0! Keep it going girls!
It isn't all dusty diamonds and uniforms. The girls are taking time to enjoy themselves at Panama Beach between games. They play later today in more pool play games. First game of day is scheduled for 3:30 eastern time. Tournament starts tomorrow.
Sparks win 4-3 against American Freedom from Texas. Bracket plays begins tomorrow for us!
Meet your 2014 Limestone County 10U All Stars: Bryce Camp (Ardmore), Camden Shields (LLCA), Camryn Peden (Elkmont), Chance Pepper (Elkmont), Christian Smith (Elkmont), Gavin Sides (Elkmont), Jonah Smith (Elkmont), Mason Burns (Elkmont), Rowe Allen (Elkmont), Seth Mitchell (LLCA), Shane Boger (Elkmont), and Ty Roberts (Elkmont). They are coached by Shannon Boger, Tim Pepper, Tadd Mitchell, and Jason Burns.
This team is made up of one very talented group of ball players. They have worked hard and fought to win the District Championship. This moved them into the Regional Tournament where they battled hard and placed 2nd, which qualified them to play for the State title this weekend.
Their first game will be at 12:30 this Friday, July 11. The State Tournament is being played at Palmer Park in Madison, AL. Come out and show your support by cheering them on while they battle for their spot to play in The World Series!
One reason Elkmont High School softball is a perennial power is the number of Elkmont girls that play travel ball. An extended season, large number of games and a high level of competition allows young athletes to fully develop their talent. Regardless if it is sports, music or dance, it takes hours and years for people to be the best they can be. These teams aren't about equal playing time, just having fun and nobody feeling bad; spring rec teams are for that. Travel ball teams develop players to their fullest potential, winning is important and reaching the next level is the goal. Travel ball teams aren't for the faint of heart. It is about winning and losing. Some of Elkmont's finest are playing for some of these travel softball teams. These teams start young and the Sparks '03 is one of the 10 and under teams.
As these girls get older, the game gets harder and the stakes are higher.
The Fusion is one of these teams. They recently were crowned the Tennessee State Champions
The best players at the high school level go through a bone-grinding sorting process. If they want the exposure for college recruiting, they attend college camps and play almost all year round on one team or another. These travel teams are not made of all local players or tri-county players but are made up of players from different states. Elkmont has one of these as well, Brandi Bentley. She is being looked at by several colleges and is making the college camp circuit. Brandi is also playing on the Southern Force. It's a 16 and under team out of Illinois-Kentucky. The Southern Force has players from Illinois, Kentucky, Alabama and Tennessee. Last weekend, they played in a national qualifier. Winning that tournament is sending them to Virginia to compete at nationals. This weekend, Brandi is playing in Kentucky at the state tournament.
Brandi has played so many games she isn't sure of the number but as she says, "We have seen a lot of college coaches and are playing against top competition."
It isn't for everyone but this is what it takes, regardless if it's softball or concert musician. Extreme commitment by player and family, focused discipline and sacrifice toward the goal of being the best they can be. There is no room to lose sight of that goal. Family vacations are at the ball field. A social life is put on hold. Many a talented athlete stumbles during the high school years as they
become distracted, quit working as hard and don't make the mark. It takes a lot of work and a certain amount of luck as well as good genetics to make it to the next level. Next time you see a talented athlete who has succeeded, rejoice in what they have done, rather than grumble it isn't fair. They earned it.
One reason Elkmont High School softball is never a easy team on the schedule is
the number of Elkmont girls that play travel ball.
One
such team is the the Sparks '03. This is a 10 and under softball
travel ball team that plays the tournament circuit from March thru July.
Elkmont's Brilee Miller is the only girl from Limestone County that was
selected to play for this team. The team is based out of Madison.
There are 3 players that are from Henagar, Scottsboro and Pisgah. The
rest are from the Madison area. The Sparks won their first tournament at
Turf Wars in Fultondale and by April 12 had played in six tournaments
and had played in 31 games. They qualified to play in the 10U Softball
World Series in Panama Beach, Florida.
Brilee and the Sparks '3 play in pool play today before being seeded in the tournament on Wednesday. Best of luck to Brilee.
Monday:
Day 1 - Sparks beat Louisville Stunners 7-2!
Sparks lose 2nd game 4-2 against Texas Bombers! Man.....do they grow them big out there....lol
The Sparks softball team has had a terrific season this year. The Sparks organization is forming a second team for girls born in 2002 for the fall season. Tryouts will be held during the week of July 26- August 2. Saturday, July 26, will be Round 1 for all potential athletes. Tuesday, July 29, will be for potential pitchers and catchers. Saturday, August 2, will be Round 2 for all potential athletes. Private tryouts will be available, upon request, the remaining days of the week. Times and locations will be announced by July 16.
We
lost our first game this morning to Central Florida 4-2. We then
dropped into the losers bracket and beat Odessa, 2-0, in 8 innings. We
also beat Southern Union, 10-3.
We play again Saturday against Central
Florida at 11 am against and the winner of the game will advance to the
championship against Angelina at
1:00 and if necessary game at 3:00. There are only three teams left. All games will be broadcasted.
*games times have been changed to central time central time if you want to watch the broadcasts.
Game Links:
Lady Tigers vs Central Florida
Championship Game
2nd game champion game if necessary
One of our past Elkmont Lady Devils
softball standouts, class of 2012, is playing in the National Junior
College Athletic Association (NJAA) DI softball championship
tournament. The tournament is located in St. George, Utah and will be
played May 14 - 17.
The Chattanooga
State Lady Tigers won their second game
today vs North Central Texas 11-4. They play Friday against Central
Florida at 2:30 (3:30 our time) and then again if the Lady Tigers win at
7:00 pm (8 pm our time).
The 2:30 game broadcast link: Central Florida vs Lady Tigers.
Go Lady Tigers!!!!
One of our past Elkmont Lady Devils
softball standouts, class of 2012, is playing in the National Junior
College Athletic Association (NJAA) DI softball championship
tournament. The tournament is located in St. George, Utah and will be
played May 14 - 17.
