VARNELL, Ga. – Diane Smith made it clear moments after celebrating her 600th career win as a softball coach that she plans to add many more victories to that total.
The way her Calhoun Lady Yellow Jackets are playing, the next 600 could come fairly quickly.
The two-time defending state champions rolled past Coahulla Creek on Thursday, 13-0, dominating in every phase of the game to improve to 20-1 and 10-1 in Region 6-AAA. The Lady Jackets pounded out 15 hits in the four-inning game, played errorless defense and got an abbreviated no-hitter from senior pitcher Kinsey Liscio.
“It’s awesome getting to 600,” said Smith, who was presented with a commemorative softball by her players after the game. “You have to have good teams, good assistant coaches and you have to hang around a long time. It wouldn’t be fun if you didn’t win.
“This is my 30th year as head coach and it’s been fun, but I’m not through yet.”
The game was scoreless after two innings, though Calhoun left runners at third and second in the first inning against a Lady Colts team that had upset region leader Ringgold a week ago and was riding a nine-game winning streak.
Calhoun, though, batted around in the third and fourth innings, getting 14 hits and slicing several hits the opposite way. Emily Weatherman’s bases-loaded single knocked in the game’s first two runs, and Chloe Rice and Maddie Clay added RBIs in the five-run third.
Smith’s team rapped out eight hits in the fourth, including doubles by Ashlyn Barnes and Jana Johns, with Ryan Brzozoski knocking in two with a bases-loaded single and four other batters getting an RBI each.
“The first inning, after we got the first two on and didn’t score, I thought we might be in for a long one,” Smith said. “But the girls adjusted, and the last two innings they really hit it well. They hit behind the runners and my lefties slapped a few to left field. I hope this kind of hitting continues.”
Looming next Wednesday is the rematch with Ringgold, which won the earlier game between the two rivals, with sole possession of first place on the line. Barnes, who was 3-for-3 Thursday, said the team is looking forward to that game.
“I’m pumped for the rematch with Ringgold. The whole team is,” she said. “We believe we can beat every team we play, and they’re next.”
Joining Barnes with multiple hits Thursday were Clay, Rice and Brzozoski with two each.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22