The Center 14-and-Under Full Throttle softball team opened the ASA State Tournament with a pair of victories, but then injuries and tough competition slowed the Shelby County team as it finished in a tie for 5th overall today at the Longview City Park.
Full Throttle opened play on Friday night with a convincing 11-1 whipping of the Daingerfield Outlaws.
The Center team continued to pour it on both offensively and defensively Saturday morning as the all-stars captured their second straight win in a 13-2 victory over the Bridgeport Sissies.
"My girls were doing great after the first two games," said Full Throttle Head Coach Matt Haddox. "After the first games it's down to the 'big dogs' and at that point we were still one of the young groups still in it. I'm so proud of them."
The Hallsville Bobcats handed the Full Throttle its first setback of the tourney on Saturday evening, knocking off the Center squad, 7-1, sending the Full Throttle to an elimination game this morning against Henderson.
Henderson hit the ball well, recording an 11-0 win, knocking the Full Throttle out.
"The girls played so hard and I was so proud of them," Haddox said after the tourney. "But great competition and injuries took the toll on us. But they gave it their all and played with all they had."
Members of the Full Throttle team included Whitney Haddox, Emily Koonce, Faith Lengl, Chelsea Henderson, Jasmine Crowley, Ali Baty, Brylee Hendricks, Caliegh Sparks, Meagan Nehring and Riley Mitchell.
Assisted coaches of the team are Joseph Mitchell and Shad Sparks.