Perfect game, power surge push Cottondale past Poplar Springs

By: Shelia Mader

It was about as complete a performance as a team can deliver.

Behind a perfect game from Annelise Skipper and a breakout night at the plate from Chrishaunna Dawson, Cottondale overwhelmed Poplar Springs 7-0 on April 30 to capture the district championship in dominant fashion.

Skipper was simply untouchable. The right-hander retired all 21 batters she faced, striking out 20 of them in a flawless seven-inning performance. No hits, no walks, no baserunners, just total command from start to finish.

While Skipper controlled the game in the circle, Dawson provided the fireworks at the plate.

The Cottondale standout crushed an over-the-fence home run and finished with four RBIs, accounting for more than half of the Hornets’ offense. She also added multiple runs scored in a performance that helped break the game open early.

Cottondale set the tone in the first inning and never let up, scoring in four of the six innings they came to the plate. The Hornets totaled six hits and consistently applied pressure, mixing timely hitting with aggressive baserunning.

Skipper helped her own cause with a hit and two runs scored, while players like Anna Claire Speers, Anslee Kelly, and Mattea Lehr chipped in offensively to keep the lineup moving.

Defensively, Cottondale was flawless behind Skipper, committing no errors and supporting the historic outing with clean, efficient play.

The win not only secured the district championship but reinforced what this team has become late in the season. At 15-9, Cottondale is playing its best softball at the right time and looks poised to make a deep postseason run.

On a night filled with standout moments, it was the combination of dominance in the circle and power at the plate that defined this one, and sent a clear message about just how dangerous Cottondale can be.