ARCOLA — The Deer Creek School softball team finished in second place at its annual tournament last Saturday, and pitcher Josie Azlin was a big reason for the Lady Warriors’ success.
Azlin was the pitcher of record for all three games Deer Creek played on Saturday. In 17 innings pitched, she struck out 22 batters, and allowed just six hits and three runs.
“She pitched extremely well all day,” Deer Creek coach Rob Ballinger said. We played very well defensively behind her up until late in the championship game.
The Lady Warriors began the day with a 3-0 victory over Delta Academy. Azlin had a single and an RBI, and Lana Upshur had a two-run single.
Deer Creek kept the momentum going in its second game with a 7-1 victory over Desoto Academy. Karson Sides went two for three with a double and 2 RBI in the win over Desoto Academy. Mary Katelyn Whatley went two for three with two doubles and two RBI, and Willow Upshur was one for two with a two-run single.
The Lady Warriors fell 2-1 to Indianola Academy in the championship game. Whatley hit an RBI double for Deer Creek’s lone run in the game.
“We did not hit well in that last game and had only three base hits the whole game,” Coach Ballinger said. “ As well as Josie pitched and for the most part as well as we played defensively, it is difficult to win ball games when we’re not hitting the ball like I know we can.”
The Lady Warriors are scheduled to start district play next week.
