CALEDONIA — The action was over quickly for the Cavaliers softball team on Thursday. A doubleheader that started just after 5 p.m. finished in less than two hours as Caledonia registered 20-0 and 18-0 run-rule wins against district rival Greenwood.
The Cavaliers, now 19-3 on the year, are 6-0 in 3-4A and are riding high on an 11-game winning streak that dates back to March10.
Despite the dominance in the win column, the Cavaliers’ schedule hasn’t been lacking for competition. The current streak includes wins against non-district opponents Mantachie, West Point and Eupora, and they’ve also managed to register wins over Choctaw County, East Webster, Tupelo and New Hope.
“Playing a tough schedule benefits us going into the playoffs,” head coach Andy Finch said. “Playing teams like New Hope, Eupora, Nettleton, those teams where it’s a playoff atmosphere every week. We’re used to it, and when the playoffs do get here, it’s nothing we haven’t seen, and hopefully, the lights won’t be too bright for them.”
Last year, the Cavaliers featured a core group of sophomores and went 5-1 in their district, fighting their way through the first two rounds of the playoffs before falling to Itawamba in the quarterfinal round.
The group is a year older now and embracing the opportunity to learn from the experience of last season. Winning a district championship is next on their to-do list.
“They’ve built a lot off of last year’s success,” Finch said of his team. “We had some young girls step up last year, and they’re still learning the ropes, but we’re now 19-3 heading to Kosciusko. The winner of those games will be the district champion. We’re in the playoffs, but that determines whether we’re a one or two seed. That’s the next goal, and we’ve got the opportunity to achieve it because of the work they’ve done.”
Kosciusko is also undefeated in district play and sports a 12-6 overall record. The district rivals will meet in Kosciusko on Tuesday before playing a return game in Caledonia two days later. The teams split last year’s meetings with Caledonia clinching the top seed via tiebreaker.
“We’ve been in that situation before,” Finch said. “We’re using the experience of last year as well as what we’ve done this year to help us through the next few weeks ahead of us.”
Over seven years in charge of the Cavaliers, Finch’s teams have had a balance of talent across middle school and high school classes in the varsity squad. The consistency in challenging for district and playoff seeding helps to set an example for the next players up, but he credits the continued success to the players taking responsibility and leadership when it’s asked of them.
“We’ve always taught our girls that when you leave the program, leave it better than you found it,” he said. “That’s what they’re doing. These girls have dealt with adversity from when they were younger, and they remember how it felt. They’re teaching the younger girls that this is what it’s like, and it’s trickling down to the seventh and eighth graders. They know that even then, you’re a part of the team, not just JV. You’re part of Caledonia softball. It’s the good attitude trickling down that makes it great for us coaches to be out here, and we just love watching them grow and play.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
