Since being thrust into major roles for the Silverdale Baptist Acadamy varsity softball team as eighth graders two seasons ago, Bita Cox and Jaliyah Whitaker have routinely delivered in clutch moments.
Despite their youth, both Cox and Whitaker look to be vital pieces again this season for the Lady Seahawks, who are looking for a three-peat as TSSAA Division II-A state champions.
The sophomore star duo was certainly at the forefront of Tuesday’s impressive 4-1 road victory over Chattanooga Christian School, which helped Silverdale improve to 4-0-1 to begin the season.
Whitaker provided the game’s opening run in the fourth inning as she drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a heads-up steal of third base with no one covering, with the ensuing throw sailing into left field.
In her next at-bat, Whitaker showed off her impressive pop from the right-handed batter’s box as she drilled a two-strike offering deep over the right-center field fence for a leadoff home run in the sixth to provide Silverdale a 2-0 lead.