Seniors Shine on Senior Day For Lady Patriots
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
April 24, 2019
BLUFF CITY, Tenn. -- Five Sullivan East seniors combined eight hits, eight runs, three home runs and ten RBI’s in the Lady Patriots 13-2 win over Sullivan North Wednesday evening.
“All five seniors stepped up and had a great game,” said Sullivan East coach Michael Forrester. “That was good to see, but they have stepped up and led us all year long.”
Chelsea Sams, Kylee Wolfe, Emily Watkins, Kayla Honaker and Katelyn Loudy were honored post-game for their contributions over the past four years.
“These five seniors have made a lasting impression on Sullivan East softball for the past four seasons and especially this season,” added Forrester. “Their impact on the field has been significant, but that doesn’t begin to tell the story of the impact they’ve had on their teammates and coaches over the past four years.”
Collectively, the hard-hitting group and has totaled more than 520 hits, 430 runs scored, and 380 RBI’s.
After North (2-13) scratched out a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first on Alexis Clark’s groundout that scored both Kaitlyn Lemmons and Kendall Nash, the Lady Patriots (18-11) wasted no time in adding to those numbers. Kylee Wolfe, cranked a two-run homer in the bottom half of the frame that saw East take a 5-2 lead.
The roundtripper was the 13th of the season for Wolfe, tying her with Sams for the most on the team and the most in the area. It was also the 27th career longball for the multi-year all-conference performer, who also scored over 1,000 points for the Lady Patriot basketball team and will play softball at Chattanooga State next season.
As a four-year starters playing in 130 games, Wolfe has over 200 hits, 120 runs, 150 RBI’s, 39 doubles, eight triples as well as 32 wins and over 150 strikeouts in the circle.
“It was pretty fun hitting one out on Senior Night,” smiled Wolfe. “But every time I hit one out it’s a good feeling. I love this girls and and I’m going to miss them. I loved playing here and loved all the fans and everyone. It’s been a lot of fun. But it went by so fast.”
Sams re-took the home run lead however, with a two-run shot an inning later that doinked off Wolfe’s grandmother’s car.
The home run was the 31st for the future King Tornado and TSWA All-Stater, who has played seven different positions as a Lady Patriots while compiling over 200 hits, 150 runs, 150 RBI’s, 44 doubles and 14 triples.
“It’s been memorable playing here,” said Sams. “I’m definitely going to remember this team forever.”
Leading 12-2 after three, Watkins made it a ten-run game with another two-run blast, just clearing the fence in center. It was the first dinger of the season for Watkins who hit two in critical spots as a junior.
“Emily has been an extremely valuable member of our team during her time at East,” added Forrester. “She has become a true leaders for our team this season while always displaying a positive attitude and showing her teammates what it takes to be a true team player.”
Sams finished 2-for-3 on the night with three runs scored and three runs driven in while Watkins was also 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Cassie Littleford finished 2-for-2 with two RBI’s while Jillian Shackelford shook off the early pair of unearned runs to eventually toss the five-inning no-hitter. Shackelford also singled, walked and scored twice.
The other two members of the senior class, Honaker and Loudy, also had solid nights.
Honaker, finished 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a run driven in and Loudy added a single, scored a run and drove in two.
Honaker, a 33 ACT scorer, is headed to UT-Knoxville to study architecture while Loudy, who transferred in after her freshman season at Elizabethton, will also attend King on a combined softball/academic scholarship.
“The hard work by these five seniors and their commitment to our team and program have been impressive,” added Forrester. “The legacy left by these five outstanding young ladies will be felt for many, many years to come.”
Sullivan North | 200 | 00 | -- | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
Sullivan East | 552 | 1x | -- | 13 | 15 | 1 |
Sullivan North - Brooklyn Robinson and Kendall Nash. Sullivan East - Jillian Shackelford and Cassie Littleford. W - Jillian Shackelford (6-4), L - Brooklyn Robinson. HR - Kylee Wolfe, Sullivan East (one on in 1st); Chelsea Sams, Sullivan East (one on in 2nd); Emily Watkins, Sullivan East (one on in 3rd).