by Hobert Delph
The Morgan County 9U softball team put together an impressive week at the Jefferson 9U Showdown at the Jefferson county Little League Complex. The girls won their first three games before finishing as tournament runner-up after a hard-fought championship game on Sunday, June 7.
Morgan County opened tournament play Thursday, June 4 with a 21-20 comeback victory over South Berkeley. After falling behind 5-0 in the first inning, Morgan County responded immediately, tying the game behind key hits from Calleigh McCarty, Kalila Dignazio and Lillyana Rexroad. The offensive fireworks continued throughout the contest as Morgan County rallied for the one-run victory. Dignazio drove in two runs, while McCarty, Maddie Sloan, Rexroad, Emma Delph, Ellie Shambaugh and Mary Boyer each contributed hits.
The bats stayed hot Saturday morning, June 6, as Morgan County rolled past Jefferson, 11-0. Delph homered and tripled, helping lead a 14-hit attack. Dignazio, Sloan and Delph each recorded multiple hits, while Boyer added a run to put the game out of reach.
Later Saturday, Morgan County continued its offensive surge with a 14-4 victory over South County Little League. The team built an early advantage by scoring five runs in the first inning and five more in the second. Delph collected three hits, including a double, while Rexroad and Delph each drove in three runs. Morgan County finished with 20 hits, receiving multiple-hit performances from Dignazio, Sloan, Shambaugh, Celina Stotlerand Raelynn Swisher.
The three victories sent Morgan County into Sunday’s championship game against South County Little League in Boonsboro, Md., on Sunday, June 7. Despite entering the title game as the tournament’s only unbeaten team, Morgan County was forced to play a winner-take-all championship contest.
The championship proved to be another offensive showcase. Morgan County out-hit South County 21-16 but came up short in a 12-8 defeat. Rexroad drove in three runs, while Delph and Isabella Sipe each collected three hits. Dignazio, McCarty, Sadie Smith, Shambaugh and Boyer also recorded multiple-hit games as Morgan County’s lineup continued its strong tournament performance.
Over four games, Morgan County showcased one of the tournament’s most explosive offenses, scoring 54 runs while compiling 62 hits. The team finished with a 3-1 record, highlighted by dominant victories over Jefferson and South County, a dramatic comeback win against South Berkeley and an appearance in the championship game.
Though the tournament ended one win shy of a title, the young Morgan County squad demonstrated resilience, offensive firepower and strong all-around play throughout the weekend.
