South Walton softball loses to Chipey in 3A semis

By TINA HARBUCK

Florida Freedom Newspapers

SANTA ROSA BEACH - Missed opportunities ended in tears for South Walton's softball team on Friday as their season came to an end in the Class 3A regional semifinals with a 3-0 loss to Chipley.

"We just didn't finish our opportunities, and they did," said South Walton coach Phil Tisa.

The Seahawks finished the season 23-2, the best in the school's six-year history. They also won the District 1 title and the county championship for the first time.

"I couldn't ask for a better group," Tisa said. "I hate to see it end. It's been such a fun ride."

However, the ride came to an end for the Seahawks when Chipley's Rachael Fowler drilled a two-run homer over the left-center field fence in the fourth inning.

South Walton, which has been rallying for wins in the final innings, managed to get two runners on base in the bottom of the fourth, but left them stranded. Kathryn Kenner and Caroline Peterson both singled, but after Brittany Jay put down a bunt to advance the runners, the next two Seahawks went down to end the inning.

In the fifth, the Seahawks missed another opportunity to get on the board when the Tigers committed two errors. Again, the South Walton left two runners stranded.

In the sixth, South Walton missed again. Peterson reached on a bunt single and moved around to second. Chipley's Jessica Bush then struck out two and the catcher caught a foul ball for the third out.

In the top of the seventh, the Tigers scored one run on two hits and a South Walton error. Skylar Davis singled and Fowler doubled. Vanessa Hatcher reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Two outs later, Watson had a strikeout that would have ended the inning, but the catcher missed the pitch and Davis advanced to make the score 3-0.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Seahawks had one last shot. Brooke Cannon led off with a line drive down the third-base line and moved around to second on a grounder by Chelsea Whitfield. Up next, Meghan Smith drilled a shot to center field, but the Tigers' centerfielder made the catch and Cannon was doubled up at second base for the final out.

Chipley              000 200 1- 3 4 3

South Walton    000 000 0- 0 4 3

W-Bush. L-Shelby Watson.