The Community Viqueens pose with their championship software after winning the District 9-AA championship Friday night. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
Several District 9-AA players were recognized for achievements during postgame ceremonies. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
UNIONVILLE — Despite unparalleled success the last two seasons that saw the Community Viqueens reach the TSSAA state softball tournament twice and claim a region tournament championship, the one title that had eluded the Viqueens in recent years was a district tournament crown.
The Viqueens can now mark that off their to-do list.
Community rode the pitching of Annie Prince and used some clutch two-out hitting to edge the Forrest Lady Rockets 3-2 on home soil and claim their first district championship since 1989.
“I told them we got the region last year and been to the state a couple of times, but we’ve never got the district,” Coach Cam Farrell of the Viqueens said.
“They brought that energy forward and I appreciate that,” Farrell added.
“They work hard and I’m proud of them.”
The game was a pitching dual between Prince and the Lady Rockets’ Taylor Moreland as both teams looked for any opportunities to scratch out runs.
The Lady Rockets threatened in the second inning as a single by Briley Burnham and a sacrifice from Moreland put a runner in scoring position with one out.
But Prince retired the next two batters to keep Forrest off the scoreboard.
The Viqueens broke the ice with a run in the bottom of the second after two were out.
Kailani Allen doubled off the left field fence and Carlie Blanton followed with a ball that tailed away from the left fielder for a triple, bringing in a run and giving Community a 1-0 lead.
The Viqueens used some abc softball to up their lead in the third as Anna Haskins led off with a single and Gracie Daniel sacrificed her to second.
After the second out was recorded, Alana Tate singled off the glove of the first baseman to score a run and give Community a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Rockets cut the Viqueen lead to 2-1 in the top of the fifth as Moreland helped her own cause with a solo homer just over the fence in left.
Community got the run back in the bottom of the inning as the Viqueens were able to dodge an out on the base paths and record an important run after a change of a call at the plate.
Haskins led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball.
Haskins attempted to score after Daniel followed with a single but got caught in a rundown between third and home.
Haskins was able to elude a tag and returned safely to third base.
On an infield single by Taylar Wessner, Haskins once again attempted to score and was originally called out.
But after a conference by the umpires, Haskins was ruled safe due to obstruction, giving the Viqueens a run and a 3-1 lead.
The score stood 3-1 going to the top of the seventh, but the Lady Rockets would not go down without a fight.
After the first batter was retired, Burnham and Moreland collected back-to-back singles, putting the tying runners on base.
With two outs, Ella Chilton singled, scoring one run and putting runners at second and third after the play at the plate.
But Prince slammed the door with a strikeout to end the game and bring the District 9-A crown to Unionville.
Prince struck out nine and had at least one strikeout in each inning while allowing five hits.
Moreland struck out four while giving up nine safeties.
Neither pitcher had a walk in the contest.
Blanton had a triple and double while Haskins and Daniel each had two singles to lead the Viqueens at the plate.
Moreland’s home run and single and two hits by Burnham paced the Lady Rockets.
With a roster composed of only two juniors and several freshmen and sophomores, the Viqueens got off to a slow start to the season, but Farrell explained the importance of peaking at the right time.
“I’m not a records coach. My thing is who’s going to be hot and ready to go by tournament team,” Farrell said.
“From that time on, those wins to me are what matter most,” Farrell added. “But we’re gelling and getting it figured out.”
Community will host Loretto while Forrest will travel to Summertown as both teams begin Region 5-A play on Monday.
Summertown defeated Loretto for the District 10-A championship.
Forrest 000 010 1 — 2 5 0
Community 011 010 x — 3 9 0
Forrest: Taylor Moreland 2-for-2, Briley Burnham 2-for-3, Ella Chilton 1-for-3.
Community: Carlie Blanton 2-for-3, Anna Haskins 2-for-3, Gracie Daniel 2-for-2, Taylar Wessner 1-for-3, Alana Tate 1-for-3, Kailani Allen 1-for-3.
WP: Prince
LP:Moreland
