By Lee Trawick Riverbend News
On Tuesday, May 11, at Branford High School, the Lady Buccaneers entertained a packed stadium with fans lined around the field, at the expense of the Taylor County Lady Bulldogs. The atmosphere was electrified with anticipation by the fans. The Lady Buccaneers Coach Oscar Saaverdra could see his girls beginning to feed off their energy before the game, with excitement themselves, the Lady Buccaneers were eager to take on their once district foe, the Lady Bulldogs.
The game began with eighth grader Lalia Arnold on the mound for the Lady Buccaneers. Arnold walked the lead-off batter for the Lady Bulldogs, which then turned into a quick stolen base. Buccaneers Captain, Cera McElreath, then gave Arnold a reassuring look of confidence that would help the young pitcher calm down. “Tonight, I was nervous coming into the game, knowing it was a big deal not only for us but for Branford knowing we have never been this far before. But once I saw my defense was making plays behind me, I settled in and knew I could go right after the hitters.” Arnold said.
Then it came time for the Buccaneers to show their dominance and it did not take long. The Lady Bulldogs made the mistake of hitting Cloey Criggall on the first pitch of the game. This brought up Madyson Sikes who has shown time and time again, with runners on base, she is as automatic as the sun rising. On the first pitch, she drilled it to the right-center field fence and the speedy Criggall did not hesitate as she raced the arm of the Lady Bulldogs' centerfielder, daring her to throw her out at the plate, safe! Two pitches and the Lady Buccaneers were on top 1-0 and they would not look back. McElearth flexed her muscles, driving a hard line-drive double to left field, driving in Sikes. Joslyn Barrs followed with a great line-drive, which scored McElearth and put the Lady Buccaneers up 3-0 in the first inning.
From there Arnold became a beast of her own and dominated the circle, keeping the Lady Bulldogs questioning themselves all night. She went five innings allowing only five hits, three runs, one of which was earned, and striking out three while only giving up two walks.
The Lady Buccaneers would go on to tally 11 hits throughout the night, scoring in every inning. The team chased the Lady Bulldogs pitcher out of the game in the third inning, without recording an out on their way to an explosive nine-run third inning. Morgan Brennan led the rally with a big double to left field. The Lady Buccaneers showed their speed and outran the arms of the Lady Bulldogs all night, with hit after hit. The Lady Buccaneers beat out three consecutive plays at the plate, which drove the score up 13-0 by the end of the third inning.
The Lady Bulldogs tried to fight back in the fourth inning. The team scored two runs before Brennan closed the door on their hopes of a rally with flawless play behind the plate, catching a foul ball for the third out.
Ellie Frieson did not let the Lady Buccaneers become complacent, leading off the fourth inning with a single to right field. The Lady Buccaneers went on to score one more run totaling 14 runs on the night.
Arnold was then asked to close out the Lady Bulldogs for a mercy ruling in the fifth inning that would send the Lady Buccaneers to the State Championships Final Four. Arnold stood firm and closed them out with a ground ball to third baseman Sikes. Sikes stepped on third base as a fielder’s choice and the Lady Buccaneers transformed from the Lady Buccaneers to the Ladies of the Night. The fans stormed the field in celebration.
Coach Saaverdra was almost in tears as he claimed “I can’t believe it, it’s almost like I’m dreaming. I’m so proud of these girls, knowing how young this team is and having to rely on our senior leadership this season. The girls just came together and Arnold would just pitch her heart out all season for us and our bats really came alive as of late. We are playing really exciting ball right now.”
As the Lady Buccaneers celebrated, McElearth reflected on the night as the captain and leader of the team. “Tonight our young girls understood how big this game was for us, and I feel it drove the rest of the seniors and the whole team. Then when Madyson started the night off with a big hit in the first inning, it started a chain for us and we started killing it and we played lights out tonight.”
The Lady Buccaneers advance to the State Championships Final Four next Tuesday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at the Legends Way Ballfields, located at 2350 Legends Way, in Clermont, Fla. They will take on the top-ranked team in Class 1A, the Trenton Tigers. Fans at home can watch the Final Four through live feed online at Fhsaa.com.