COLUMBUS — 9-0, undefeated.
The champions of Lowndes County’s rec softball league completed a historic run, beating every one of its opponents on its way to the league crown.
The Chick-fil-A U12 softball team completed a perfect season in the Lowndes Recreation softball league and saw several of its players represent the county All-Star team at the Dizzy Dean 12U softball State Championships last weekend in Louisville.
Head coach Pattie Foreman began coaching softball four years ago when her granddaughter Rimi started playing but otherwise wasn’t too familiar with the rest of the players. She initially relied on her fellow coaches and Rimi’s familiarity to bring the team together, but once they got rolling she knew it was something special.
“We didn’t really know at first it was going to be such a special team,” Foreman told The Dispatch. “I knew two of the players from last year, and going through the process, my granddaughter told me to get a couple of players added.”
The team was made up of Deniyah Brady, Annabelle Brislin, Abbie Degraffaneded, Rimi Foreman, Kiyler Hopkins, Aubree Perkins, Chloe Redmond, Ava Rouch, Amonie Summerville and Na’Coya Terry.
Six players were selected to the 12U All-Star team by head coach Pattie Foreman
Once the season began, and the team started winning, the process came together. There was one moment that stuck out to Foreman, preparing for a strong Caledonia team, where the team was lacking in some belief.
“There was one game that our girls just knew the other team was going to beat us,” she said. “I told them that going in with an attitude like that of course we’ll lose. Never go in with a losing attitude, you have to go out there and do your best and let the chips fall where they may, and we come to find we end up beating them.”
The team’s confidence grew and blossomed into an undefeated campaign that saw six players selected to the All-Star team, with Foreman named head coach and assistant coaches Jason Perkins and Frankie Rouch joining her.
Together they led the group to a strong start, winning their first-round matchup against Yazoo, but the run was cut short after losses to Sebastopol and Choctaw County in the double-elimination tournament.
“We were ecstatic to win our first game but came back on Saturday and lost,” she said. “We ended up finishing 5th in the tournament. Coaches have to make decisions in those situations when you’re behind, and we made changes but it wasn’t enough to come back.”
It was a tough end to the tournament, but Foreman hopes it’s the first of many appearances for her players. After one season at the BankFirst Yards complex, she’s hoping they’ll be able to play host in the near future as well.
“I love the Yards. If they get the right people to maintain it they can keep it as fabulous as it is now. They’ve done a great job with it and it’s an opportunity for other teams to come to Columbus and we can host tournaments like the one in Louisville and Starkville.”
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 46 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 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
