Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolverettes Now See Action On Softball Diamond

Girls softball is now an official spring sport at Prescott High School.

The Wolverettes have played two games so far this inaugural season, and have dropped both.

Coached by Cecily Butler, who led the Wolverette basketball team to the state playoffs, the diamond dolls are learning their new sport.

The Wolverettes opened their season against Nashville, taking it on the chin 25-1.

The Prescott crew scored its lone run in the third frame when Mandy Cox was walked home. Satarra Dixon managed the team's only hit, but it was a big one, as she belted a triple.

Nashville, on the other hand, fielded a seasoned team and took advantage of Prescott's youth and inexperience. The Lady Scrappers scored 14 in the first, eight in the second and three in the fourth.

The game was called after five innings because of the 10-run rule.

Jill Stokes was the starting pitcher for Prescott, but was relieved in the third by Lakisha Stuckey.

"It was the first game ever for most of our girls," Butler said. "They showed a lot of athletic ability, but we have a long way to go."

Butler said the team is learning and has made great strides in two weeks.

In their second game, the Wolverettes tangled with AAAA Camden Fairview.

This game lasted the full seven innings as the Wolverettes gave the Lady Cardinals all they wanted before falling 16-10.

Both teams sent one across in the first. However, Prescott had a strong second inning, scoring six runs. Camden responded with a trio of runs in its half of the frame.

The Lady Cards tied the game in the top of the third as they scored another three runs. However, Prescott battled back to take the lead at 9-7 with a pair of their own.

Again, experience showed in the later innings as Camden scored four in the top of the fourth and blanked the Wolverettes. The Lady Cards added five in the top of the fifth, while Prescott managed its final run in the bottom of the inning.

Scoring ended in the top of the seventh when Camden added two insurance runs.

Dixon and Christy Martin wielded the heavy wood with twin singles and a double each. Stuckey showed she could do more than pitch as she recorded twin singles as well. Kaci Ammons, Lori Burke, Tamra Marlar and Kelly Wren also singled in the game.

Mandy Cox ripped a double, while Gladies Gulley and Laura Culpepper each belted two singles each.

Once again, Stuckey was on the hill for Prescott.

"There was much improvement from Wednesday to Friday," Butler said of her team. "It looked like a new team.

"They weren't as scared, we were playing at home and had the first game jitters behind us."

Butler said the Wolverettes worked hard on their game after playing Nashville, and it showed in their pre-game warmup Friday, March 15, against Camden.

"We're hitting better, and they weren't as afraid. They ran hard and listened to the (base) coaches.

"It'll all work out," Butler continued. "These girls are catching on quick."

In addition, the Wolverettes played a junior varsity contest Friday against Fairview, falling 27-7 in five innings.

The Wolverettes scored five in the bottom of the fourth and two in the bottom of the fifth for their runs.

Fairview sent four to touch them all in the second, and posted a huge third inning with 14 runners circling the bases. Another four scored in the fourth, with five more putting the finishing touches on in the fifth.

Laura Grayson led the Wolverettes with a double single, while Jesna Cornelius doubled. Melinda McGough contributed twin singles in the outing. Stokes and Amber Arney each singled in the contest.

Monday's game against Murfreesboro was cancelled because of weather conditions.

The Wolverettes aren't scheduled to return to the diamond until April 2, when they play host to Murfreesboro. Gametime is set for 4 p.m.