Little League Softball Falls Short in Bid for District Championship

The Avery 11 and 12 year old Little League Softball All-Star squad had to endure a Tuesday rainout in Wilkesboro and made a second trip to Memorial Park on a warm Wednesday afternoon last week to compete for the District 7 championship against Wilkes County.

Avery’s lone loss of the tournament came at the hands of Wilkes, and the ladies from the High Country fought valiantly to the final out in the rematch, but the team could not avenge its defeat as Wilkes defeated Avery 19-0 in four innings.

Avery threatened in the first inning as Kaitlyn Arbogast walked and reached second base, but the offense was unable to bring the first baseman home before the close of the frame.

Wilkes County scored a pair of runs off two hits in the bottom of the inning to lead 2-0 at the close of the first frame.

Much as was the case in the first meeting between the teams, the second inning was the point where the Wilkes squad seized the upper hand in the matchup. Avery was retired in order in the top of the inning, while Wilkes struck for ten runs that effectively put the game out of reach.

Avery could only muster one base runner via walk in both the third and fourth inning, but the Wilkes starter was dominant inside the circle, allowing no Avery hits, recording each out of the contest by strikeout, and walking three batters.

Wilkes added seven runs in the third inning to provide for the final margin of victory as the game was called due to the ten-run mercy rule.

As runners-up, each Avery player was recognized by the district after the contest and received a pin. Even though the team fell short of its goal to advance into state tournament play, the team showed great heart and talent in winning a pair of tournament contests and representing Avery with great pride.

“I thought the girls played hard as they have all series. The score is not a representation of the effort the team gave. We faced their ace pitcher today and she threw well. We made a few errors that hurt us, and it’s hard to pick yourself up at that age after making a couple of mistakes in a row,” Coach Craig Reiger said after the game. “Regardless, the girls lived up to the Little League pledge and gave their all until the end of the game.”

The team has achieved measures of success since the inception of Little League Softball in Avery County six years ago. However, the coach feels that there is more progress which is necessary to reach the level of play indicative of top-tier squads within District 7.

“Avery County needs to play more than Little League ball. For softball to be competitive in Little League, middle school, and high school, the girls need to play travel ball and weekend ball. If the teams just want to play ball during the season, the team will remain at a similar level for the next twenty years,” Coach Reiger stated. “It takes the involvement and long-term investment of coaches and parents to achieve a greater measure of success.”

Congratulations to the Avery 11 and 12 year old girls softball All-Stars on their second appearance in the District Seven championship!