The DeKalb Middle School Lady Saints softball team are the Upper Cumberland Conference District Tournament Champions. The team came away with three dominating wins last week to claim the title.
On Monday, April 24, the Lady Saints faced off with Avery Trace, where they came away with a 13-1 victory. The girls put six runs on the board in the first inning and never looked back, scoring in all four innings.
The Lady Saints had 16 hits in the game, including Maggie Hendrixson who would get two singles in the first inning, another in the third, and yet another in the fourth. Jerusalem Aldino had three stolen bases in the game, while Brooklyn Fuson had the most plays. Liliana Judkins claimed the win from the circle allowing one hit and one run over four innings, striking out five.
The following day, the Lady Saints would take on their old foe Upperman, a team that had swept DeKalb in the regular season. It would be different this go round, with the Lady Saints taking a huge 9-1 lead in the first inning, and continuing to pile on the runs throughout the game. DMS would claim the high-scoring 25-11 victory.
Sophie Adcock came away with four hits in the game, with singles in the second and third innings, a double in the fourth, and another single in the fifth. In all, the Lady Saints had 19 hits in the game, with Adcock, Lillie Young, Hendrixson, Aldino, Judkins, and Hannah Brown all claiming multiple hits. Judkins claimed the win going five innings, allowing 11 runs on 14 hits, striking out three and walking one.
On Wednesday, April 26, the district crown was up for grabs as the Lady Saints took on White County. DMS fans would not be disappointed.
Each team would go three and out in the first inning, then the Lady Saints powered their way onto the scoreboard as they came to bat in the second. After Brown got a walk, Judkins took a base with a HBP. Adcock would then single on a bunt as Brown scored and Lola Colwell, running for Judkins, took second. Aldino would get a walk loading the bases, then Allie Estes walked as Colwell scored. Hendrixson would single on a hard grounder to short as Adcock crossed the plate, and later, Aldino would score on a passed ball as Young was up to bat. Young would get a walk, then Brown hit a triple on a fly to right sending three runs home. DMS was up 7-0.
White County would manage three runs as they came to bat in the second, but that would be all they would see. DMS would seal up the game at the top of the fourth with five more runs, and hold on for the 12-3 victory. Judkins claimed the win from the circle, allowing three runs on six hits over five innings, striking out five and walking one.
Five Lady Saints were named to the All-District Tournament Team including Hendrixson (shortstop), Fuson (catcher), Judkins (pitcher), Brown (center fielder), and Aldino (left fielder). Judkins was named MVP of the Upper Cumberland District Tournament.
Head Coach Sarah Jacobs said it is a great accomplishment to win the championship the first year of being in a conference. “We didn't live up to expectations during the regular season, so to come out and get the job done when it mattered the most makes it feel even better. We had to knock off the number one and number two seed. We had lots of ups and downs during the regular season. I knew they had the potential to win the whole thing it was just a matter of getting them to believe they were a good team.”
When asked who the team’s stand-out players were, Coach Jacobs said it took all of them to win the whole thing. “Liliana Judkins pitched every inning of every game this year. Jerusalem Aldino had to step up and play a different position in the semifinals. Brooklyn Fuson was great behind the plate. Margaret was a solid leadoff hitter and shortstop. Hannah Brown was a solid center fielder. But again it was an ENTIRE team effort to win the whole thing. Every one of them stepped up and did their job. From the JV on the fence cheering them on in the dugout to all 11 girls who went in during a varsity inning. It took everyone to win the championship.”
When asked what was the Lady Saints’ toughest competition this season, Coach Jacobs said it all came down to the last three teams in the tournament. “Upperman swept us, and we split with Sparta in the regular season. The Championship game was the highlight, but the semifinal game against Upperman really stands out. We had to do a lineup shift before the game, so two girls had to play positions they never have in a varsity game. They all stepped up and did their jobs to help send us to the championship.”
The Lady Saints now advance to the Region Tournament on May 13.
