MYRTLE BEACH, SC-The Carolina Pride eight-and-under fastpitch softball team attended the WFC-Battle at the Beach tournament November 21-22, going 5-1 to bring home the championship. In Saturday's action, the first game resulted in an 18-17 Pride win over the Johnston County Clippers. Leading hitters for the Pride were Raenah Pate (4-4), Abigail Ridge (3-3) and Morgan Hatchell (3-3). All ten players had at least two hits. The second game resulted in a 15-12 Pride win over the Carolina Express.

Leading hitters were Pate (3-3) and Sarah McCall (3-3). Sunday’s action started with a loss to the Carolina Blaze, 15-14. The leading hitter was Katie Lighthall.

In the second game the Pride eliminated the Johnston County Clippers, 13-12.



Katie Lighthall, Marley Gamberg and Lindsey Hunter all went 3-3. Hatchell drove in the winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

In the semi-final game, the Pride got their revenge against the Carolina Blaze with a 9-5 victory to set up the championship game, also against the Carolina Blaze which the Pride dominated the entire game and won, 19-9, to capture the Championship trophy.

Over the two games, Hunter went 8-8 and Macie Gibson 7-7.

"The team played hard both days and showed they are true champions," Coach John Ridge added. “ I am grateful to these young ladies for giving me the opportunity to coach them and look forward to seeing their success in the future as seven of 11 players will move up to the 10-and-under team next year. Many times during the tournament, I was asked, by both coaches and parents on the other teams, where we were from and we proudly let them know we are from Scotland County. We would like to send a big thank you to the Laurinburg Optimist Club for allowing us to use their park for our many practices."

In 10-and-under action, the Carolina Pride finished runner-up out of 13 teams. In their first pool game, the Pride and the SC Extreme played to a 3-3 tie. Leading hitters for the Pride were Megan Parker, Nadia Walters and Cameron Sharpe. In the second pool game the Pride lost to the Low Country Legends, 3-1. Leading hitters were Alexis Britt, Kelsey Smith, Morgan Parker and Debbie Kyle.



The first bracket game saw the Pride defeat the Diamondbacks, 7-6. Leading the Pride at the plate were Jenna Ridge, Walters and Kyle.

In the second bracket game the Pride defeated the Coastal Crushers, 8-4. Leading the Pride at the plate were Haven Birchfield, Maggie Laviner and Darrian Ivey.

Sunday morning, the Pride came out strong defeating the Slingers, 6-3. Ivey and Cameron Sharpe lead the team at the plate.

In the next game the Pride lost, 8-1, to the Stingers. Ivey plated the Pride’s only run of the game with a homerun over the centerfield wall.



The Pride moved into the Championship game by defeating the Slingers for the second time, 5-1. Ivey, Sharpe, Smith and Laviner lead the team at the plate.



In the Championship game, the Pride’s offense was only able to generate two hits as they lost to the Stingers, 4-0. Parker and Ivey provided those hits.

The Pride would like to say thank you to the Laurinburg Optimist Club for allowing us use of Optimist Park for our practices. It is only with their support that we have had such a successful season.



Tryouts for the 2010 Carolina Pride 8U, 10U and 12U teams will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5th and Sunday, Dec. 6th at Optimist Park. Visit our website http://www.eteamz.com/carolinapride for more information.