Three Kosciusko softball teams played in state tournaments recently.
The 11-and-12-year-old team finished second in a tournament at Iuka. The 9-10 team was fourth, also at Iuka and the 7-8 team finished fourth in a tournament at Caledonia.
Coaches for the three teams praised their players, but did not want to single out anyone.”I wouldn't want to name anyone. That would not be fair to the rest of them,” said 7-8 coach Debbie Coleman.
The 11-12 team won its first two games, defeating Booneville 6-3 and Starkville 12-3 to move within one victory of the championship. But the team was beaten twice by Booneville 8-4 and 6-4.
“I'm really proud of them” said coach Shea Rosamond. “They went up there not knowing what they were up against. They came out ready to play.”
The 9-10 team had losses to state champion Booneville and Corinth and victories over Iuka and Columbus. “We played some really good teams,” manager Ben Dew said. “They never gave up. They didn't want to go home.”
He pointed out that his team played three games in one day with temperatures in the mid 90s.
The 7-8 teams finished fourth in both the North State tournament and the state tournament. At North state in Kosciusko, the team was 4-2 with two wins against Starkville and one each against Iuka and Madison-Ridgeland. Losses were against Booneville and Madison Ridgeland.
At the state tournament. Kosciusko had two wins against Winona and one against Eupora, along with losses to Caledonia, West Point and Louisville.
“We hit well and fielded well,” Coleman said. “We were up against some tournament teams that play year round. We were a team put together in two weeks.”
Members of 10U Kosciusko Softball All-Stars pictured above are, standing left to right, back row: Mailey Shaw, Camryn Hollingsworth, Riley Beauchamp, Paisleigh Chandler, Ainsley Dew and Meredith Moudy. Front row from left: McKenzie Ingold, Bailey Rea, Kate Norwood and Anna Reid Lepard. Squatting in front is Kaleysha Miller. Coaches are Leigh Ann Norwood and Jeremy Moudy. Manager is Ben Dew.
Members of 12U Kosciusko Softball All-Stars pictured above are from left, front row: Carmen Edwards- Catcher, Claire Tate- Outfield, Anna Duke- Outfield, Autumn Sims- Second Base, Mya Barksdale- Pitcher/Outfield. Second row, from left, Dana Hill- Catcher/Outfield, Ariyah Miller- Outfield, Kaniziya Floyd- Short Stop/ Third Base, Madison Sanders- First Base, Harley Rayburn- Third Base, Graycee Rosamond- Pitcher/ Short Stop. Coaches are Daniel & Shea Rosamond, and Johnny Sims.
