Smyrna High softball eliminated in extra-inning state tourney game

They were in every game, all season long.

The Smyrna High softball squad won 14 games and lost seven this spring, and the team never lost by more than two runs.

Over the course of the season, the Eagles became accustomed to playing in close, low-scoring games. They played another close one in the state tournament on Saturday.

Through seven innings, the No.7-seeded Eagles battled to a 1-1 draw with No.10 Milford in a first-round game at Smyrna High.

But in the top of the eighth, the Buccaneers pulled ahead with a pair of runs and held on for a 3-1 victory that ended Smyrna’s season.

“It just wasn’t our day,” said Smyrna head coach Donnie Shaner after the game. “We put the ball in play.”

Shaner said the Smyrna girls only struck out three times. They made contact, but the balls just didn’t fall that game, he said.

The tournament game remained a scoreless pitcher’s duel through the first three innings, but in the bottom of the fourth, the Eagles were the first to get on the scoreboard.

Courtney Carter got the offense going with a base hit. Kayla Carrow advanced Carter to third with a hit of her own, while Carrow ended up safe at first on an error. Then Ashley Martin put the ball in play and brought Carter home to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

Smyrna clung to the one-run advantage until the top of the sixth, when Milford advanced a runner to third and then scored the tying run on an error. Smyrna limited the damage, though, and got out of the inning before Milford could pull ahead.

In the top of the seventh, Milford put a base runner on, but Kayla Carrow turned a double play that ended the inning.

With the score still knotted at 1-1, the game went into extra innings, but only one extra inning would be played.

Milford loaded up the bases in the top of the eight on a walk and two bunts, and then a base hit brought in two runs.

With the season on the line, the Eagles wouldn’t go quietly.

Chelcey Tyre got on base with a hit, and later, with two outs, Courtney Carter put the ball in play and was just safe on a close call at first base. The rally fell short, however, as a pop fly ended the game.

Following the state tournament game, the Eagles concluded the season with a 14-7 overall record. Smyrna outscored its opponents by a combined score of 102-26 this spring.

“We never got blown out all year,” said coach Shaner.

The Eagles will miss the departing seniors, but Shaner said he’s optimistic about the future of the program with so many talented younger players on the team.