Darlings win State Championship

Look out Texas, here comes Turbeville! Those words or some very similar are probably on the lips of the Turbeville Dixie Darlings softball team, coaches and proud parents as the newly crowned state champions prepare to visit the Lone Star state later this month.

Thursday evening the troops from Turbeville earned the right to represent the Palmetto State in the Dixie Darlings World Series by defeating Union 20-16 in the finals of the state tournament held in Dentsville.

The Dixie Darlings All-Star team is made up of 7-8 year old girls who were selected for the team from local squads. To reach the World Series, which will be held from July 30th to August 6th in Denison, Texas, the team had to first win sub-district and district tournaments and then emerge as champions of the State tournament last week.

All of this was accomplished with a real zeal for the game. Head Coach Curt Gowdy vocally applauded his team’s enthusiasm and commitment especially after they roared back following their lone tournament defeat at the hands of Union on Wednesday evening.

Gowdy’s girls then knocked out host Dentsville by the score of 16-12 to earn  the re-match with Union Thursday night.

Initially, the title game looked like a cakewalk for Turbeville as they built a 13-0 lead after their first two at-bats. But Union showed why they were in the championship game by mounting a furious late rally. Trailing by 6 runs going into their final at-bat, Union was able to score twice but saw their rally and season end when Turbeville second baseman Grace Ryanne McKenzie hauled in a pop fly for the third and final out.

Offensively, the girls filled the scorebook with many hits and extra base hits. Madison Lamb was particularly productive as she banged out four hits on the evening. Five of her teammates combined for fifteen more hits.

Gracelyn Coker, Madison Lee, and Amanda Floyd all had three hits in as many at-bats. Haley Floyd and Kendall McKenzie each had three base hits in four trips to the plate.

Having taken care of business at home, Turbeville’s state champs will now get ready for their excursion to Dension, Texas which is located north of Dallas and just south of the Texas-Oklahoma border.

The trip out west does not come without a price tag so securing funds is now a high priority. Coach Gowdy indicated that a minimum of $11,600 was required and that funds and pledges were already coming in.

Anyone wishing to help out can send a contribution with checks made out to the Turbeville Recreational Department and a designation for Dixie Darlings softball team on the check.

Gowdy led the effort in coaching these 12 young ladies but gives credit to his assistant coaches as well. Giving him a helping hand were Bobby Floyd, Neal Lamb, and Wayne McKenzie.

Considering their young age, Gowdy marveled at how the girls played as a cohesive unit, exhibiting a real team mentality. After steamrolling the competition leading up to the first battle with Union, the youngsters received a wake-up call in their first setback.

The Turbeville team showed resolve and determination beyond their years as they righted the ship and claimed the state title on the following night.

So Denison, Texas-get ready! You’re about to be invaded by a group of young softball phenoms with hearts the size of the Lone Star state itself!

 Good luck to our State champions from Turbeville!