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Two Azle softball all-star teams are advancing the Sectionals after taking District 7 titles.
The Junior and Major girls both will play in Waco July 16-17, the next step in Little League postseason.
The Junior girls locked in their berth with a 14-2 victory in the decisive game. The Major’s battle was much closer, a nail-biter. Some great defense, clutch hitting and outstanding pitching have all conspired to give the Azle Major girls division softball team the District 7 championship.
Coach Mike Campoli’s team out-scored their opponents to take all three games of the District 7 playoffs which ended with an exciting clash at Stinger Field July 10. Despite the home team’s dominance throughout the tourney, the championship game was far from easy. The Azle girls had defeated Weatherford 10-0 in the opening round but found their opponents more than game for a rematch. Azle staked itself to a 3-1 lead before things began to unravel in the third. Some sloppy fielding allowed Weatherford to score three unearned runs to take a 4-3 lead. “We played great defense throughout – except for that one inning,” Campoli said. Ironically, it was great defense which kept the Azle girls in the game. In the 5th inning with runners in scoring position, Reagan Taylor made a shoestring catch in shallow right field, squelching the Weatherford threat and keeping a potential fifth run off the board. Then, in the seventh, Rebekah Teel made a fine throw from third base to second baseman Brooklin Leal to just beat a runner. But it was Teel’s hitting that stole the show – and she did it in dramatic fashion. With two outs in the 6th and Azle trailing 4-3, Teel knocked in Shyanne Lane to tie the score. Then, in the 8th and the score again tied, Teel’s double to center knocked in Bailee Carter with the winning run. Kenzi Harris pitched all eight innings to gain the win. Her pinpoint control and devastating change-up kept the Weatherford girls from doing further damage. Campoli said he’s gotten great pitching throughout the playoffs from Harris, Teel, Lane and Brooke Smith. “We’ve played very good defense and had some good hitting, too,” he said. “It’s good, fundamental softball – get the runner to second base.” The girls head to Waco July 16 to take on Midway Waco, a team Campoli is well familiar with. Azle’s select teams have played the Midway girls twice, tying them 1-1 and losing 3-2. “There’s no doubt we can play with them,” he said. “I’m proud of our girls.” Azle Little League President Russell Finch presented the Azle girls with the District 7 championship banner after the victory. Campoli said special thanks is due Azle High School softball coach Vera Ortega who has shown support for the girls and allowed them to use high school facilities. |
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