Meadowview finishes as softball state runner-ups
Published 9:38 pm Monday, May 11, 2015
The Meadowview Christian softball team finished second in the Alabama Christian Athletic Association state softball tournament Saturday in Millbrook.
The Trojans lost in the state championship game to New Life Christian 14-4 Saturday, their fourth loss to the Eagles this year. Meadowview was undefeated against every other team they played this season.
“I’m very proud — just how they played in that last game,” said Trojans coach Cherie Grimes. “I’ve never seen them play that good. They made one error. They kept their heart in the game. They didn’t hang their heads. I told them the scoreboard made it look like they played terrible, but they didn’t. They played good.”
Meadowview had to win its first game Saturday, which was the championship game of the loser’s bracket, to get to the championship. The Trojans breezed through that test by beating Tuscaloosa 10-0.
Shelby Boswell hit a 3-run home run to lead the way and pitcher Claudia Kendrick threw a shutout.
The next game — a fifth meeting with New Life this season — was a much tougher challenge. The Eagles scored seven runs in the third inning to pull away in a dominant 14-4 victory.
“They made the plays they were supposed to,” Grimes said. “It was just the way it worked out. It really did make me proud to see them work hard like they did.”
If Meadowview had won the first game, the Trojans would’ve had to beat New Life again anyways because the Trojans already had a loss in the tournament. Meadowview had fallen to New Life Friday.
Boswell hit a home run, her third consecutive game with a deep shot, but it wasn’t enough for Meadowview.
New Life simply had Meadowview’s number and everyone else’s all season long.
“All their runners are fast. They have awesome hitters. Their defense is solid,” Grimes said. “… I told my assistant coach we’ve got to figure out what they’re doing this offseason to learn how to hit the ball like they do.”
Meadowview’s Mallory Freine, Maggie Tipton and Shelby Boswell were named to the all-tournament team.