Hot Bats and Smoking Aces in TTown send the Bulldogs to the Sweet 16

Trion Lady Bulldogs softball team is off to a fantastic start on their quest back to the state title game in Columbus. The Trion Lady Bulldogs swept the first round of state playoffs against Webster County at home with the scores of 12-0 and 20-0.

Wednesday is a day the Shepherd family will forever remember: it was a day of pitching greatness from the Shepherd sisters. Lindsey the senior and Whitney the freshman, both pitched no-hitters. No Webster batter could seem to locate the Shepherd sisters’ pitches during the game.

Whitney Shepherd was on the mound for the first game and struck out nine batters and walked two.

Lindsey Shepherd was on the mound for the second game starting her first game since she had shoulder surgery in March to repair a tore labrum. Lindsey Shepherd struck out six batters and allowed no walks.

“Both girls have played travel softball with the Georgia Flames since they began playing at age 6. I have been fortunate to coach my daughters through their travel ball and school ball. Lindsey was region pitcher of the year, as well as 1st team All State Pitcher and Outfield last year on Trion’s State runner-up team. Whitney was All League selection for Trion Middle School last year on their NGAC regular season Champion and Tournament Runner-Up team. I am very proud of them. Both girls have set goals of playing softball at the college level. They put in many extra hours outside of team practice, to work towards their goal. I have enjoy having them on the same team, and at the conclusion of their High School season they will play together on the High School division of our Georgia Flames travel ball team,” said their father Alan Shepherd.

The first game had eleven runs scored in the first three innings helping to blow out Webster County. Gracie Burns and Jodie Henderson both had RBI singles during the first inning. A two-run double by Josie Maddux, an RBI single by Shelby Carlock, a walk by Henderson, and a two-run single by Shayla Youngblood in the second inning helped the Lady Bulldogs put some runs on the board early. Youngblood racked up two RBIs on three hits.

The second game Trion scored twenty runs in the first three innings.  There were several walks by KiKi Evans, Darrian Jones and Shepherd, followed up with an RBI single by Shayla Youngblood, a bases loaded walk.

With the bases loaded and the pitch count 3-1 Josie Maddux hit a home run. This was Maddux’s first career grand slam and second homerun of the season. Maddux currently has a .380 batting average with a .477 on base percentage supplying the offense needed to crush Webster. Maddux racked up four RBIs on two hits.

Trion will play Lanier County in the Sweet 16 next Wednesday in Valdosta as they continue their quest for the State Title.