Westfield softball falls to Tattnall Square Academy 

PERRY —  In a reversal of the 2023 GIAA Class AAA softball state championship, the Westfield Lady Hornets fell to the Tattnall Square Lady Trojans on Thursday.

In their first two games of the season, the Lady Hornets beat Loganville Christian Academy (9-8) and Wilcox County (10-1). However, the charged Westfield offensive was stifled by the Lady Trojans in a 7-1 loss.

The game started slow for Westfield. Lindy Hare started on the mound and pitched six innings. After a leadoff ground out in the first inning, a hit and a walk put runners on first and second for Tattnall.

With immediate pressure on the defense, Riley Nelson came up big with a diving catch in centerfield to keep the runners from advancing. However, a passed ball pushed the runners over and a two-RBI single from Reese Covington gave the Lady Trojans an immediate 2-0 lead. Westfield trailed for the remainder of the game.

The Lady Hornets’ bats never seemed to get going. Tattnall pitcher Sophie Hicks had Westfield  on their heels for the first three innings, holding them to a single hit. 

In the top of the fourth, a Covington single and a few deep fly balls gave Tattnall another run, improving their lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Hornets came out swinging. Unfortunately, despite this being the second time through the lineup, balls weren’t dropping in the outfield and Westfield came away empty-handed.

The momentum that started for the Lady Hornets faded as they were held scoreless again in the fifth. 

The top of the sixth proved difficult defensively for Westfield, as a pair of singles and an error on a bunt put Tatnall up 6-0.

The Lady Hornets scored their only run in the bottom of the sixth. Chole Hill managed to reach on a line drive to center, and advanced to second and third on two passed balls. Cate Raines drove her in with an RBI single.

It was too little too late for Westfield. A Lady Trojan run scored in the top of the seventh and made the final 7-1. 

Westfield coach Ryan Wetherington commented optimistically on the loss: “We got to sure up some things on defense– too many errors– and make adjustments on the plate. But overall, it’s early, we have a lot of season left and a lot of room to make progress.”

Senior Riley Nelson stood out as a player to watch for the coming season. She went two-of-three at the plate and her outstanding defensive play in centerfield helped this game stay closer than it could have been.

This season, the Lady Hornets hope to compete for their eighth consecutive state championship. This matchup proves this team needs to work throughout the season to give them a chance at that.