Piedmont, AL Piedmont, AL A year after a yet-to-be-diagnosed fractures limited her ability to pitch, MVP Smith delivers Piedmont’s second no-hitter of the tournament in the process of Bulldogs win the victory
at Piedmont
Monday
Piedmont 10, Saks 0
Wellborn 7 Weaver 5
Weaver 16, Saks 3
Tuesday
Winners” bracket
Piedmont 13 Wellborn 0
Weaver 8 Welborn 4
Final round
Piedmont 11, Weaver 0
By Joe Medley
Savannah Smith’s physical discomfort a year ago was not the only one and was the cause of her angst.
Softball was in the postseason, and an injury that’s not yet known extent wouldn’t let the state-of-the-art infielder/pitcher do the things she usually is required to do for team.
“Last year I wasn’t sure if I contributed a amount to the pitching team,” she said.
What ended up being the tibia was fractured and has been repaired and she showed the maximum force of her game determination at the end of every pitch during Tuesday’s Class 3A Final of the Area 10.
Smith’s no-hitter and lots offensive power from the tournament’s most important player and her teammates drove the Bulldogs to a 11-0 win against Weaver at home on Piedmont’s field.
Both teams will be advancing for the next round of East Regional at Albertville, and Piedmont (35-14) appears to be at full of energy like the Bulldogs have been since they won their first Calhoun County tournament early April.
They’ve won six games in a row with a 3-0 victory throughout during the Hokes Bluff pre-area tournament, which was played just ahead of the region tournament. It scored 34 runs, and put the ball away with no victories. Smith and sophomore Carson Young and Emma Grace Todd together pitched two no-hitters and three-hit.
Smith pitched a non-hitter versus Weaver on Tuesday. Young took on 39 pitches to win in the game against Saks the previous day. Todd pitched a three-hitter in an 13-0 win against Wellborn in the final of the winners’ bracket.
“I’m very happy for the pitchers we have,” Piedmont coach Rachel Smith said. “They put in so much effort throughout the lead-up towards the start of season.
“If you drive past the practice area in the preseason, you’ll find people in the field throwing bullpens and working on position spin, leg drive and location. It’s a tough workout and it’s one that occurs immediately after practice. They’re out there, putting in the hours, both catchers and pitchers are doing their best, and I’m sure you’re noticing that payoff in the moment.”
Due to a largely offensive that includes Armoni Perry’s grand slam for the second time in a row against Wellborn this season, and Cayla Brothers with their two-run opposite-field hit against Weaver the Piedmont trio of pitchers only needed to pitch 15 innings over three region games.
These were 15 effective hours … there were no walks. Smith hit 13 batters and Todd pitched nine.
Young was unable to strike out, however, there were there were no walks or hits permitted.
Smith was able to pitch 47 strikes on 59 pitches on Tuesday.
What is the impact of a new year. She was able to discover after last season that she was playing with fractured tibia.
She was able to have a complete offseason to get it ready and her mother was able to think about the way she dealt with pitchers.
“That’s something we’ve been apprehensive about,” she said. “We were looking to distribute the pitching. … The team do not want to overwhelm each person.”
The coach who began letting her pitcher-catcher team manage the game last season also diversified the catching duties and hopes to avoid overusing Cacey Brothers for that job.
In the case of Smith who is a full-time player, she’s on the move as Piedmont moves into regional search the third time in a row for a state championship.
“Getting to be able to help in the coming year,” she explained, “it just means so much to me to be able to contribute and take part in this,” she said.
The history of Weaver
For Weaver (17-12) The Bearcats received what they wanted on Tuesday. Their victory of 8-4 against Welborn in the tournament’s final elimination game sent them to the regional finals and secured their second regional championship in school history and their first since 2017.
Weaver arrived at the park with a plan which was explained from assistant coach Andy Fulmer. As the two-time state champion wrestling coach in winter, he shattered the Bearcats Monday night huddle in a blaze of enthusiasm.
“All fuel and brakes” pitcher, along with daughter Kynlee Fulmer laughed and repeated her father’s words.
Weaver could not find enough fuel to make it to the regional level. The Bearcats scored 10 hits against Wellborn and had two hits each by Kinley Marvasty, and Sydney Bitzer. Marvasty scored two RBIs.
Fulmer was able to hit six batters with nine strikes and two walks.
“You set goals in the beginning of the year and it was always at the top of the list to be to this point,” Weaver head coach Gary Atchley said. “We did our best to perform in the local tournament and make it to regionals. We also snuffed out another goal for the year.”
All-tournament team
Saks: Mikalah Wilson.
Wellborn: Destiny Benefield, Autumn Parsons.
Web Designer: Payton Marvasty, Kynlee Fulmer, Alana Cooper.
Piedmont: Jaycee Glover, Sarah Goss, Jenna Calvert, Emma Grace Todd, Armoni Perry, Savannah Smith (MVP). Savannah Smith (MVP). Read more stories about sports…]
