By CINDY CROSBY
It was a magical finish for the Colleton Prep Lady Hawk Softball team in the decision game of the SCISA AA State Championship against Pee Dee Academy (27-3) Thursday May 13 in Manning, South Carolina.
With the three-game series tied at 1-1, the Lady Hawks were leading 7-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. Leading off, centerfielder, Becca Martin drew a walk to put a runner on for the Lady Hawks. With one out, Caroline Kinard singled moving Martin to third, leaving runners at the corners. After a fly ball for out two, Pee Dee would decide to issue an intentional walk to Weslin Jones loading the bases. Jones was 3-3 on the day. Behind Jones, in the No. 2 spot, was Taylor Tomedolskey.
Tomedolskey was 1-4 at the plate. Perhaps with a little extra incentive, Tomedolskey wasted no time, sending a line-drive to deep left-center. The well hit ball proved difficult to handle, allowing three runs to score and forcing a 10-0 run-rule decision.
Tomedolskey’s walk-off secured the 2021 SCISA AA State Championship for Colleton Prep.
“They walked Weslin in front of me and I guess they figured I could not hit the ball – which made me determined to rip the ball,” said Taylor Tomedolskey after Thursday’s win. “It was just awesome. It feels great and our whole team is so happy right now.”
In Thursday’s championship game, Haley Bootle proved spectacular in the circle, allowing no earned runs on three hits. Bootle earned her keep on offense also, going 1-3 at the plate with 2-RBI’s and scoring once.
Weslin Jones was 3-3 and scored four runs. Her sister Linley was 2-2 with 2-RBI’s and scored once. In fact, it was Linley’s bat that scored Weslin twice in the game. Becca Martin was 1-2 with 2-RBI’s and Caroline Kinard was 2-3 and scored once. Sidney Bailey also recorded a hit.
In game one the series against Pee Dee held Monday May 10 (away), Bootle took an 11-5 loss in the circle. She allowed four earned runs on 11 hits, striking out one across six innings. W. Jones was 3-3 with an RBI and scored three runs. Tomedolskey, L. Jones and Mackenzie Pellum each had a hit.
Game two would be played the following evening and Colleton Prep would earn a 5-4 win in front of a large home crowd. Bootle allowed three earned runs on nine hits, striking out three and issuing a single walk across seven innings. W. Jones was 3-3 on the day and Bootle was 2-4 with an RBI. Tomedolskey, Martin and Pellum had a hit each.
“Throughout the season, with the many cancellations and rescheduling, it was difficult to get an idea of where we were versus our AA competition,” said Coach Tiger Martin following the game. “With stellar performances in the SCISA and Pee Dee Pitch-Off pre-season tournaments, we knew Pee Dee would likely be the team to beat.”
“Once we clinched our conference and insured a spot in the post season, I asked the girls what their goals were for the post season and told them if they wanted to make it to the championship series, it would require stepping it up in practices, learning new drills and paying attention to details,” said Martin. “I also told them my birthday was on May 10, which happened to be game one of the three game series, and explained that being able to participate in the series would be an incredible gift. We worked determinedly and our effort level improved in practices.”
“In my opinion, we made another change that helped our championship run,” said Martin. “Due to a business trip, I missed two games late in our season. I normally call the pitches, but in my absence, my assistant coaches turned that responsibility over to our catcher, Linley Jones. Linley scaled back the number of pitches that Haley was asked to throw, and the result was a more accurate and confident Bootle. She was working faster, allowing fewer walks and the defense responded with more solid play behind her. When I returned, the coaches suggested we continue with this format, and the result has been staggering.”
“Weslin Jones was our offensive star in Lower State, batting 6 for 10,” said Martin. “The times she did not get an extra base hit, she immediately stole second. She was a catalyst for our offense. Would she keep up the pace versus Pee Dee’s ace, Jordan Perritt, who came into the series with 203 strikeouts on the year? No, she would not. Instead, she upped her game to an incomprehensible level. Weslin was a perfect 9-9 plus three walks in the series. She was perfect. I have simply never seen anything like it.”
“After our loss in game one, walking from the dugout to the car, I was pretty sure we would get swept on Tuesday,” said Martin. “But then, the entire team opted to ride the bus home after the loss – not one player chose to ride back with their parents. It was a harbinger of good things to come. I believe the team bonded since our talk in April and they were fully invested. The heart we showed in game two is something I will never forget. In our pregame meeting before the championship, we asked the Lord to give us the opportunity and courage to play the best softball we could. Our prayer was answered, and the result was a SCISA AA State Softball Championship for the Lady Hawks.”
Following Thursday’s game, five Colleton Prep players were named to the 2021 North-South All Star team including Weslin Jones, Linley Jones, Taylor Tomedolskey, Becca Martin, and Haley Bootle. In addition, Coach Martin was named as a coach along with Matt Polin (Calhoun Academy) and Steve Toole (Calhoun Academy).
