It took one more game than expected, but the Columbia 8u softball all-stars claimed a state title Sunday in the USSSA State Tournament in Magee.
Columbia reached the championship round undefeated and needed to be beat twice to be eliminated. The all-stars lost the first game to Neshoba County 11-8 but bounced back in the second game to win 3-1 and raise the championship trophy.
“Our girls kind of came out flat in that first game,” head coach Ryan Freeman said. “We should’ve won it, but we had a three-hour break. They were cold, and it took them a little bit to get warmed up and play ball again. They just didn’t hit in that first game. In that second game, we came out hitting again and hit like we normally do. Neshoba had a really good team, but our girls are a little better. We just had an off game.”
Freeman said the team was really excited about winning state, and he was impressed by how they bounced back.
“They didn’t really get down after getting beat. We only had a 10-minute break between games, and we came in there and told them, ‘Look, this is your chance to come back and win it.’ They got pumped up, excited and went out there and hit the ball really hard,” he said. “They were fired up about it.”
Columbia got to the championship by beating Collinsville 18-1 Friday, Carthage 18-1 and Sumrall 15-13 Saturday, Wesson 15-3 and Clinton 12-2 Sunday.
The all-star squad will play in the USSSA Southern Nationals July 19 through July 21 in Picayune.
Pictured Above: Columbia 8u includes, not in order, Ava Baughman, Griffyn Harmon, Rylee Freeman, Maycee McKenzie, Zia Buckley, Kloe Stringer, Morgan McKenzie, Marley Smith, Ainsley Armstrong, Harley Ramshur, Laleigh Duncan and Addison Walters and coaches Jason McKenzie, Todd Harmon, Kelli Harmon and Ryan Freeman. | Photo Submitted
