Aug. 7, 2012 — The birth of a new program is one that comes with its fair share of growing pains. Ultimately, it is not an easy task to find success, but when you do, it is that much more fulfilling.
While the Cave Run Muskies baseball teams have displayed dominance on the field for a number of years, the Lady Muskies softball squads have spent the past three years trying to establish its footing.
Hard work and determination appears to have paid off for the girls in red and black, as the 12U Muskies softball team recently wrapped up its season. It saw the upstart Little League program finish with its second-best tournament finish since the team's inception just three years ago.
This past weekend, Cave Run’s 12U team finished pool play with a fourth seed for Sunday’s Back to School Bash Tournament.
The Lady Muskies made quite the showing, winning in both the opening round and semifinals before falling in the championship.
Lady Muskies Head Coach David Rose commented on his girls’ efforts this past season, commending them for the heart they have shown.
“I can’t say enough about how proud myself, the parents and other coaches are of this team,” Rose said. “The roots of this team itself are young, and we feel like we have made great strides with this year’s squad. There is a bright future for Rowan County softball within this team.”
After advancing past the first round, the12U Muskies next did battle with the Spencer County All-Stars.
It was all Muskies all the time, as Cave Run compiled two runs in the first inning, with Chole Patrick being driven in on an RBI single by Morgan Fern. Fern then plated herself when she stole home on a wild pitch.
Leading 2-0, Cave Run’s girls did not look back.
Future Lady Viking pitcher Meghan Hammond delivered another solid performance on the mound for the big red, striking out six batters, while allowing just three hits in five innings.
The Lady Muskies scored three more times in the affair, including a run by Grace Robinson in the second before Patrick picked up another run after a single, followed up with another round trip for Fern.
Those runs proved enough to give Cave Run the 5-1 victory.
Things appeared to get off to a solid start as Hammond notched a single after Fern ripped a double to the left field fence.
The early onslaught of hits proved enough to score what would be the Muskies’ only run of the game by Sarah Hallock.
Fighting the elements, it seemed that rain would take spurts of falling when the Muskies were on defense.
Hallock picked up the only other hit of the game on a single to shallow left field in the third, as the number-one seed Vengeance compiled an eight-run effort on its way to the 8-1 victory.
Even with the loss, Hammond said she was very happy with how the season turned out.
“It was a blast through and through,” Hammond said. “I had a lot of fun with some great teammates and I can honestly say that they are like my family now.”
Rose shared the sentiments of his pitcher.
“We played some of the best competition around this year, and I think it really helped these girls to grow as players,” Rose said. “I think these kids can walk away from this experience seeing that they can play with the best out there, all it takes is a little hard work on their part. We are very proud of their efforts this season.”
