Jess Myrick is first THS player to sign college offer

Published: Friday, April 10, 2009 4:25 PM CDT

Scot Beard

sbeard@franklincountytimes.com

THARPTOWN – Tharptown senior Jess Myrick made history Thursday night when she became the first athlete in school history to sign a letter of intent to play collegiate sports.

Myrick signed with Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton to play softball.

“It’s a little bit exciting, but it’s a little bit sad because I’m moving away,” Myrick said.

She chose Jeff Davis for several reasons. She said she liked the small-town feel of the area and because of the success of the program.

Myrick also liked the way the coach approached her.

“Coach wanted to know about me, not my earned run average,” she said.

Another advantage Jeff Davis had over other programs was the attitude of the other softball players. Myrick said she liked the way her future teammates were outgoing and were able to have fun while being able to stay serious about softball at the same time.

Myrick said there are quite a few memories from playing with Tharptown that she will cherish for years to come including winning county titles at the junior high and high school levels and helping the Lady Wildcats reach the playoffs for the first time.

While at Jeff Davis, Myrick will study secondary education with a focus on history. She said she isn’t ready to give up softball when college is over.

“I want to teach history and coach either a junior high or high school team,” Myrick said.

Myrick’s coach, Laura Sellers, said she had sent information on the players to several colleges before the start of the season. She said several programs showed interest in the players.

Sellers said she was excited that Myrick was the first Tharptown player to sign.

“It has been a total blessing and privilege to be part of Jess’ life,” Sellers said. “It is hard to find kids like her. I can’t replace her.

Copyright © 2009 – Franklin County Times

Lady Bulldogs beat Tharptown 2-1

Published: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 3:14 PM CDT

Scot Beard

sbeard@franklincountytimes.com

The Belgreen softball team earned a tough 2-1 road win Monday against Tharptown and moved one step closer to forcing a winner-take-all series against Speake for the right to host the Class 1A, Area 15 Tournament.

Belgreen struggled offensively in the first inning as all three batters grounded out.

Tharptown did not fare much better its first time at the plate. Heather Hatton singled with one out, but was caught stealing before Hollie Hines popped out to end the inning.

Katelin Barber led off the top of the second for Belgreen by drawing a walk. She advanced to second on a sacrifice by Amber Smith.

Lauren Oliver grounded out to third, but Barber was able to score from second on the play to give the Lady Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Tharptown threatened to tie the score in the bottom of the second when Jess Myrick doubled. Her pinch runner advanced to third on a sacrifice by Chelsey McCluskey.

Lauren Scott lined out to shortstop and Belgreen was able to double off the runner at third to end the inning.

Belgreen had a pair of players reach third base in the third inning, but a stingy Tharptown defense prevented the Lady Bulldogs from adding to their lead.

Hines tied the game for the Lady Wildcats in the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field.

Belgreen took the lead in the seventh when Oliver singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Katy Britton. Deborah Billingham doubled to drive Oliver home for the winning run.

Martha Billingham picked up the win for Belgreen, giving up three hits and striking out six in seven innings of work.

Deborah Billingham had a pair of hits while Smith and Oliver both singled.

Myrick took the loss for Tharptown. She allowed four hits and struck out six.

Hines’ homered, Myrick doubled and Hatton singled for the Lady Wildcats.

With the win, Belgreen improves to 5-0 in area play. The Lady Bulldogs travel to Speake Monday and host the Lady Bobcats Tuesday.

Speake is also undefeated in area play and the winner of that series will be the favorite to host the area tournament.

Tharptown, which was swept by Speake, still has an outside shot at hosting, but the Lady Wildcats will need to win the rest of their area games – including another game against Belgreen – and get some help from other teams in the area.

Copyright © 2009 – Franklin County Times

Softball Photos!!

Photo by Donna Hines

I’ve felt bad about not having much Softball information on the site. However, Donna Hines has provided me with some GREAT photos taken during the games against Speake at Tharptown Field. Unfortunately, we got blanked! (11-0)

Anyway, Thanks Donna!

Click here to see Donna’s Photos

Tharptown softball sweeps Lady Red Devils

Published: Friday, March 20, 2009 3:24 PM CDT

Scot Beard

sbeard@franklincountytimes.com

PHIL CAMPBELL – The Tharptown girls softball team was not hindered by rainouts, as it was able to generate quite a bit of offense against Vina this week.

The Lady Wildcats scored 33 runs in two games against the Lady Red Devils to improve to 3-0 in area play and 5-3 overall.

“I was proud of our hitting,” said Tharptown coach Laura Sellers. “Between regular games and tournaments, we had about 13 games rained out. We’ve been doing hitting drills in the gym.”

The Lady Wildcats had 16 hits in Tuesday’s 16-0 victory at Vina.

Laken Barnett led the way with three doubles for Tharptown while Hollie Hines tripled and Jess Myrick doubled and had a sacrifice bunt.

Heather Hatton and Braeden Sellers had two singles each while Chelsea McCluskey and Lauren Scott hit one single each for the Lady Wildcats.

Myrick pitched three innings and struck out six to earn the win.

Claudia Townsend had the only hit for Vina.

The Lady Wildcats continued its offensive output Wednesday as they scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a commanding lead. Tharptown sent ten batters to the plate in the first.

Vina threatened to answer in the second as Brandi White and Amber Evans each drew a walk to open the inning. Stormi Mitchell reached on a fielder’s choice, but in doing so White was called out at third.

Evans reached third base on a passed ball, but was unable to score as the next two Vina batters struck out to end the inning.

Tharptown seemed to cool off in the second, only plating one run as Hines – the only Lady Wildcat to reach base in the inning – scored on a sacrifice by Myrick.

Vina could not get a runner to reach base in the third inning, but Tharptown’s bats came back to life.

The Lady Wildcats sent 12 batters to the plate. Those batters recorded five hits and put seven runs on the board to take a 14-0 lead.

With one out in the top of the fourth, White singled for Vina and advanced to second on a ground out by Evans. Mitchell struck out to end the inning before White could advance any farther.

After McCluskey grounded out to open the bottom of the fourth, Barnett singled and stole a pair of bases before Hatton drew a walk. Hines hit a ball deep to the outfield to clear the bases and end the game.

Hines led the Lady Wildcats with three doubles while Barnett hit a single and a double and Tosha George hit a pair of singles.

Braeden Sellers doubled and Hatton, Myrick, Scott and McCluskey each singled for Tharptown.

Hines picked up the win on the mound, pitching four innings and striking out four. She allowed one hit and walked three Vina batters.

White had the only hit for Vina.

Jesse Norwood took the loss, pitching 31/3 innings and striking out one Tharptown batter. She gave up 11 hits.

Lady Wildcats Thump Saint Bernard 20-0

In what started as a phone call to set up an easy win for Saint Bernard, the THS Lady Wildcats sent a message to whomever was looking for the same favor by scoring 20 runs in 3 innings. I don’t have any game details, but I’m guessing that the message was received! So much for Coach Seller’s diplomatic skills!

Baseball & Softball Schedules Are Here!

I’ve posted the Baseball and Softball Schedules for 2009. Check them out and make plans to come out and cheer for the Wildcats!