The Holtville softball team opened the AHSAA Class 5A Regional Tournament with bats on fire. However, ending Day 1 hoping for more.
The Bulldog opened with Jemison in the first game, roaring out to a 14-2 win with the game seeing a premature ending in the fifth inning. The racked up eight hits, three coming from Bailea Boone alone. Laylin Graham picked up two hits while Kylie Snowden, Holley DeVaugh and Megyn Burnett picked up one each.
The day started early for Holtville, jumping out to a nine-run lead over Jemison through two innings of play. However, things started to slow down according to coach Reese Claybrook.
“Came out early in the first game, were aggressive, set the tone,” Claybrook said. “Put up nine there to start with. Then, you know, kind of sat on our hands a little bit, but picked up the pace back in the first game.”
The dip in offensive production reared its head in the second game against Beauregard, with the Hornet taking the 5-0 victory. Compared to the eight hits Holtville compiled against Jemison, the hit total was cut in half, finishing with four hits. Boone picked up one more hit with Burnett coming in for three hits herself.
Although things did not go exactly the way the Bulldogs were hoping on Day 1, Claybrook knows it won’t be a problem going forward, considering the circumstances.
“I think it's more so a mindset,” Claybrook said. “I don't see that being an issue tomorrow, because, you know, it's seasons on the line. You don't really have a choice to fall back. You got to get after it the entire time. So, I think that's something you really have to remind the girls of going into tomorrow.”
Holtville’s regional experience is ultimately what’s going to play to its benefit. The Bulldogs will have to walk into Day 2 of regionals and win three games — something Claybrook knows they can do.
“Tomorrow is gonna be a grind,” Claybrook said. “(We) put ourselves in the spot (where) we gotta win three in a row; we've done it this year. We've had days where we've played several games in a day and had to win multiple in a day. It's the fine line of playing with emotion, but not playing emotional, understanding what's at stake.”
Holtville opened Day 2 of the regional tournament against Elmore County.
