Sports

Dukes Softball Makes it to States

Reporter Leighann Harper

After an intense season, our Lady Dukes Varsity team will head to states, preparing for more competition, faster pitchers, and harder hits. The ladies qualified for states on Monday, May 27th (Memorial Day), after a big 2-0 win against Hickory.

The game in about the second inning when our girls’ defense stayed strong and offense picked up the pace. Leighann Harper had the first hit of the game with a “fake bunt slash” past the infield. With two runners on base, the girl on second base would have scored if she had not run into the shortstop on her way to third. Although the Dukes had not made any progress, they kept their heads up and played with energy and intensity until the very last pitch.

Harper (Sophomore) stated that, “I have never seen our dugout as loud or as excited during any game all season. We all kept our heads up no matter what and came out on top in the end.” The team picked each other up through every inning and rattled their opponent to the core. Everyone was ecstatic for the outcome.

In the last inning, there were runners on first and second, 2 outs, and pitcher Mackenzie Smith (Junior) was battling against her final batter. With a three ball, two strike count, Smith released the final pitch of the game, the batter swung and missed, Strike three. The fielders rushed to the mound and screamed their hearts out, “We’re Going to States!”. The crowd roared and as Hickory’s heads fell, ours stayed high. The Gloucester - Hickory game was one to be remembered for years to come.

Lady Dukes will play on Saturday, June 8th wherever the state tournament takes them. As long as they keep the intensity level up and come out strong, our Dukes should be fine.

Coach David Lindsay always says, “Come out here and play like you know how to play and the winning and losing will take care of itself.”