Cottondale Darlings sweep their way to first ever DISTRICT TITLE
By: Shelia Mader
The Cottondale Darlings were a special group from the time they took the field opening night of rec ball in April. There was something about their eagerness to be on the diamond, to bond with each other, and play as a team. They took that same attitude to the All-Star level and it showed through three games in district play. They defeated Chipley in game one, 21-1. The offense didn’t come close to what they had on Saturday, but it was enough to pick up a 6-5 win. With a day’s rest, the Darlings took the field Monday evening in a rematch with Chipley but they took nothing for granted. They played their hearts out and came away with a 13-2 win to claim Cottondale Rec Department’s first ever Darlings Softball District Championship.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the most coveted award given that day was the Sportsmanship Award. It went to the Cottondale Darlings. This award is not based on wins or losses, grand slams, or no hitters. It’s based on how the team as a whole treat the all the players, coaches, and fans throughout the tournament. The Times believes the ‘judges’ could not have chosen a better team for this award.
Cottondale wins 21-1
The bats were hot and the defense hotter when Cottondale took the field Friday night. Any time you can have a game where everyone hits, it’s a great game. Cottondale was consistent three innings in a row with seven runs crossing the plate in each inning.
Doubles and triples were definitely on the menu. Anna Claire Waters, Bailey Slay, and Destiny Henderson recorded a triple each, while Halle Daniels, Ellie Branch, and Lila Obert all added a double with Branch making it two doubles on the day.
Overall offensively, Ellie Branch led the team with three hits, three runs scored, and three RBIs, followed by Anna Claire Waters with three hits, two runs scored, and three RBIs, while Khrisalyn Dawson recorded three hits, three runs scored, and two RBIs. Destiny Henderson was on board with two hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs, while Millie Obert and Halle Daniels had two hits, one run scored, and two RBIs, with Bailey Slay and Ayla Kate Christmas were on board with two hits, two runs scored, and one RBI. Ella Obert had three hits and three runs scored, followed by Lila Obert with one hit, one run scored, and one RBI, while Addison Malloy had a hit and an RBI, with Kennedy Parrish recording two hits and a run scored.
Cottondale moves on in district play
The Cottondale Darlings certainly made it interesting Saturday when they took the field against Holmes County. Holmes County scored two runs in the first, one in the second, third and fourth before Cottondale’s bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning. They plated six runs to secure the 6-5 win.
Ella Obert recorded three hits, including a double, two runs scored, and two RBIs, followed by Destiny Henderson with three hits, two runs scored, and one RBI, while Khrisalyn Dawson had two hits, two runs scored, and one run scored. Ellie Branch had a double with her two hits, a run scored, and an RBI, while Addison Malloy recorded two hits, one run scored, and one RBI. Ayla Kate Christmas, Lila Obert, and Anna Claire Waters were on board with two hits and a run scored. Millie Obert recorded three hits, while Halle Daniels and Kennedy Parrish finished out the scoring with a hit and a run scored.
Cottondale clinches the DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP
The Cottondale Darlings had a day’s delay in taking the field for their chance at a district championship. They were ready to make history and that’s exactly what they did with a 13-2 win over the Chipley Darlings. Cottondale made a statement early with six runs crossing the plate in the first inning, followed by six in the fourth inning, and one in the fifth inning. Chipley added a run in the third and fourth innings, but the win was all Cottondale.
Ella Obert led the way with three hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs, followed by Destiny Henderson with three hits, two runs, and one RBI, with Khrisalyn Dawson recording two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI. Ellie Branch and Addison Malloy added two hits, one run scored, and one RBI each, Millie Obert was three-for-three at the plate. Ayla Kate Christmas and Lila Obert each had two hits and one run scored, while Kennedy Parrish and Halle Daniels rounded out the offense with a hit and a run scored.
The Cottondale Darlings are preparing for a trip to Belleview in hopes of bringing home a state championship to Cottondale.