Elk City softball ends season with 8-2 loss to Weatherford, gutsy play in in districts
Tyler Palmateer
Daily Elk Citian
The big unknown leading into Elk City High School's second district softball game against Weatherford High School was energy.
After a weather delay Tuesday, game two resumed Wednesday with ECHS trailing just 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth, but WHS came out and scored five unanswered runs to claim the district title with an 8-2 victory.
Coming back and reclaiming Tuesday's momentum proved to be difficult as expected for Elk City, who watched its season, filled with ups and downs, come to an end.
"Yes it was [difficult]," ECHS head coach Lindsey Mudgett said of the situation. "Our energy level yesterday, I think you guys could see it… We weren't ready to play today. It's hard to come back and feel that same energy and same vibe you felt [a day later]."
In Tuesday's portion of game two, Madison Hughes had an RBI single and would score of a Karli Droke double to give Elk City a 2-1 lead over Weatherford. The Lady Eagles claimed a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the third, then the game was called due to lightning in the fourth inning, when ECHS had a runner on third base.
"There's always 'ifs'," Mudgett said, "but I'm very proud of the girls. I will say, they didn't come out the way they should've, but stye finished in an awesome manner."
The coach spoke of the way her team battled after the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday, when an RBI-single and a two run homer by Weatherford put her team in an 8-2 rut.
The Elkettes bided their time, were patient at the plate and loaded the bases in both the sixth and seventh innings, but ultimately couldn't drive in a run. In the circle, Torei Morning , struck out four batters for the game.
Elk City finished its final games playing the best it had all year, winning 4-of-5 contests heading into districts, then making a good Weatherford team work its way to a regional berth.
"I definitely think so," Mudgett said when asked if she felt her team peaked at the right time. "I'm pretty big on, you have your games and you look at them, you learn from them, and you move on. You don't sit and dwell."
The season as a whole proved to be more than Mudgett expected. The first-year head coach said she became emotional in the post-game huddle with her team.
"It was a little harder than I expected it to be. I couldn't talk down there for five minutes, because I was choking up. I think [herself and the team] connected a lot better than I thought we would have. I'm very proud of them and proud to be their coach."
Game 1
Weatherford 2, Elk City 0
Game 2
Weatherford 8, Elk City 2
ECHS 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 5 2
WHS 1 2 0 2 3 0 x — 8 10 0
Luttrell: (1/4)
Cheatham: (1/4)
Odom: (0/4)
Schones: (1/4)
Morning: (0/4)
Stowe: (0/4)
Hughes: (1/4)
Droke: (1/4)
Craig: (1/4)