SPORTS
STORM CENTER: DeFord valuable member of Petrolia softball team
The Petrolia High School softball team has enjoyed a modicum of success this season; but, that hasn’t happened without injuries.
Especially at first base.
Earlier this season, Krista Reese suffered a torn meniscus, and then freshman Emilee Macklin was injured during the playoffs.
At that point, Petrolia head softball coach Eric Simmons went to Samantha DeFord and asked her if she would be interested in taking over at first.
DeFord had been Petrolia’s primary second baseman, but the move to first was out of necessity.
“Sami’s been a great kid to have on the team,” Simmons said after Thursday’s Conference 2A Regional Final against Archer City.
“She’s hit the ground running,” Simmons added about DeFord’s move to first base.
Simmons said DeFord has hit the ball extremely well for the Lady Pirates this season, a successful year in which Petrolia has won 30 games.
Archer City defeated Petrolia, 4-3, during Game One of the best-of-3 series on Thursday evening in Bowie. It marked the first time the Lady Pirates had lost since March 2 (a 3-1 defeat versus Lindsay).
Petrolia won the District 2A-8 title, with the likes of traditional powerhouse Windthorst and Seymour in the mix.
For DeFord, the move to Petrolia was a natural fit. After all, her father Michael DeFord graduated from there in 1991.
“It’s been a home for me,” said DeFord.
So, what about that move to first base?
“It’s been very challenging,” she said. “I’ve been staying after practice to work on it. I just want to make the team better.”
DeFord called this year the best experience she’s had playing softball.
“I wouldn’t trade this for anything,” said the Petrolia junior. Read more from this column in the May 27 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Samantha DeFord prepares to bunt during the seventh inning of Thursday’s Conference 2A-Region I softball regional final at Bowie High School’s outdoor complex. This game served as a Homecoming for DeFord, who played for Bowie as a freshman. She is currently playing first base for District 2A-8 champion Petrolia. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
SOFTBALL SERIES
Conference 2A
Regional Final
Archer City vs. Petrolia
At Bowie High School
May 24
Archer City 4, Petrolia 3
May 26
Archer City 4, Petrolia 3
(Archer City wins series, 2-0.)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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