Last week, Greene County’s 10U All-Star softball team captured the Georgia Parks and Recreation Department state title.
The Greene County Recreation Department hosted the tournament, so the team didn’t have to travel, which worked in its favor. The girls from Greene dominated the competition, outscoring their opponents 55-8 to win the title.
Coach Jared Norton was pleased with his team, which posted some impressive statistics during its state tournament run. He said 10 of the 12 girls played together two years ago when Greene County won the 8U state title.
“We had solid defensive play coupled with strong pitching. Hitting also stood out,” Norton said. “A week before the state tourney, we played Oconee County in a scrimmage and saw the need to improve on facing fast pitching. We challenged our girls to make that improvement and provided them the opportunity to do so before the tourney began. They stepped up to the challenge and, against really good pitching, batted over .700 for the tournament.”
Greene County started the tournament by defeating Meriwether County 20-0 in the first round. Jasper County then forfeited in the next round, giving the team a tough matchup against Tallapoosa, but it won 20-5 to advance.
Tallapoosa defeated Commerce in the elimination round and faced Greene again in the final, with a similar result. The girls of Greene sent their opponent from northwest Georgia packing with a 15-3 victory to hoist the trophy.
Norton was impressed with how well his players fared against a talented left-handed pitcher from Tallapoosa.
“We faced a phenomenal pitcher from Tallapoosa,” Norton said. “She was very good and threw fast for her age. She was strong, but our girls just hit her hard. She still managed some strikeouts against us, but overall, they weren’t afraid of her. I think it honestly shocked her a little how well they hit her, and they had to face her twice.”
Norton’s daughter, Avery, was Greene County’s star pitcher. She was almost unhittable from the circle, providing the team with eight-plus innings of work, and only giving up six hits, three runs, while she struck out 18.
Avery Norton posted a 1.40 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP, throwing 94 strikes out of 134 pitches.
Lilah Tolbert led Greene County with 10 total RBIs, while Tember Williams and Kennedy Lott had seven hits apiece. Lott scored eight times in the tournament, and she went 4-for-4 in the championship game from the leadoff spot.
“The crazy thing is, it was against good pitching,” Norton said. “We were not searching for walks or waiting for the perfect pitch. The girls came with the mindset that if they could hit anyone and get a strike, they would hit it. That’s why having great pitching is awesome, especially in softball at that age, but the hitting really stands out when you face a team where the entire lineup is putting the ball in play and applying pressure.”
The entire team was composed of Kennedy Lott, Lilah Tolbert, Avery Norton, Tember Williams, Timber Pilcher, Hallie Wall, Jamie Norton, Bishop Caldwell, Charlee Mize, Pua Tauiliili, Maddie Dyches, and Remi Pilcher. The coaches were Jared Norton, Russell Wall, Joe Tolbert, Jake Caldwell, and Jason Williams.
“I’d like to thank all the players’ parents, coaches, and the Greene County Rec Department for their support, especially Director Pete O’Neal,” Norton added. “We couldn’t have made it happen without them.”