The first ever Commerce 8-under all-star softball team came home with a top-eight finish in the Dizzy Dean World Series in Southaven, Miss., last week.
The Lady Tigers found themselves pitted against the Little Rookies from Jasper, Alabama, in their first game of the tournament on Thursday, July 12.
The Tigers cycled through their entire lineup during their first at-bats, stroking ten hits and bringing the maximum allowable five runners home.
The Tigers held the Rookies to three runs to close out the inning.
Commerce picked up two more runs in the second inning, while holding the Rookies scoreless.
Heading into the third inning leading 7-3, the Tigers faced a sudden shift in momentum.
Commerce put up two runs while the Rookies answered with five of their own. After a scoreless fourth, The Rookies jumped ahead by adding another five runs.
In the top of the fifth, Lady Tiger Rachel Morgan homered to left field.
Heading into the bottom of the fifth with a score of 10-13, the Tigers needed to hold the Rookies to two runs to secure a final at-bat and a chance at a comeback.
With two runs in, two outs and the game-ending run on third, the Rookies’ batter hit a ball to third baseman Grace Hobbs who shot it back to catcher Bryanna Sanders and appeared to take the runner out at home.
Unfortunately the umpire didn’t see it that way, and the Rockies’ 16th run ended the game.
The Lady Tigers bounced back on Friday to take on the Pelicans from Louisiana.
Commerce held the Pelicans to one run in the first inning while scoring two.
The Tigers held the Pelicans scoreless in the second while putting up five runs of their own.
Heading into the third, the Pelicans opened with a double followed by a single.
With two on base, the batter hit a fly ball to left field and into the waiting glove of Chole Whitfiled for out one. The next Pelican batter singled, driving in a run.
With runners on first and second base, the next batter smacked a fly ball to left-center field where Landry Kate Martin recorded the out, then chased down and tagged a runner, ending the inning on a double play.
Grace Hobbs led off the Tigers’ next at-bat with a double, followed by a home run from Martin.
The Tigers went on to hold the Pelicans to another single-run inning, securing a 14-3 victory.
After a short break Commerce once again took the field, this time facing Bruce’s Rock Stars from Mississippi.
The Tigers made quick work of the Rock Stars, allowing only six runs while the Tigers racked up the maximum five in each inning.
Lady Tiger batters blasted five home runs during the game, one each from Rachel Morgan, Bryanna Sanders, Paige Vickery, Carson Hobbs and Grace Hobbs for a 20-6 victory.
Saturday morning, the Lady Tigers took on the Mississippi Rebels. Rachel Morgan led off with a single followed by a home run from Bryanna Sanders.
Carson Hobbs drove her in with a triple, followed by doubles from Faith Gearing, Paige Vickery and Landry Kate Martin. Jumping out to a substantial early lead, the Tigers would continue to dominate, sending the Rebels home with a final score of 16-6.
An ominous cloud rolled over the stadium, pouring down rain, as the Tigers took the field for what would be their last game.
Paired up against the Pontotoc Power from Mississippi, the Tigers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after one inning.
Both teams were scoreless in the second inning. The Power scored three runs, while holding Commerce to only two runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Going into the sixth and final inning, the Tigers were down 8-6. With bases loaded and two outs, Kaylee Martin hit a ball to center field, sending Landry Kate Martin sliding into home. Although she beat the throw home, the umpire called her out due to the slide being ruled unsafe.
The Power ended the Tigers’ tournament with an 8-6 win.
The 8-under Commerce Tigers All Star softball team played placed second at district, third at state and finished the season as one of the top eight all-star teams in the nation.
