Published Tuesday, May 06, 2008 8:31 AM
Updated Tuesday, May 06, 2008 8:32 AM
THS Senior Shelly Grimsley struck out 215 hitters in leading Timberland to the Region 7-AAA championship.
Lakewood defeats Lady Wolves, 9-1
The Region 7-AAA regular season champion Lady Wolves saw their season come to a close with a playoff loss to Lakewood April 30.
After dropping Game 1 of the District 5 playoff series 2-0 to Timberland, eventual champion Lakewood came back, defeating senior pitcher Shelly Grimsley and Timberland for a 9-1 win.
THS finished the season 21-5.
“It was a tough loss,” Timberland Head Coach Joy Elizondo said. “We just couldn’t put together the hits we needed and it ended up costing us. Lakewood is a great team and they came to play.”
With both teams facing elimination, Lakewood took an early lead in the third knocking in two runs from a double to center field. Two singles and another double by Lakewood gave the Lady Gators a 4-0 lead before the end of the third inning.
Grimsley continued to struggle on the mound as the Lady Gators kept the ball rolling an inning later sending 11 batters to the plate, using five hits and two errors to take a 7-0 lead.
“They were really hitting the ball right where they needed to all day,” Grimsley said. “The whole team is disappointed to have lost this way. We tried taking the momentum from winning our region and use it throughout the playoffs. We beat Lakewood 2-0 in the first time we met, but today was their day.”
Timberland tried to muster a last minute rally in the seventh. With the bases loaded and two outs, Timberland scored its only run from a walked batter, but Lakewood bounced back to end the inning and capture an 9-1 win over the region champs.
“We had a great season,” Elizondo said. “We were in a tough playoff bracket and the team did they best the could to keep winning but Lakewood had the better day.”
Grimsely ended her final season with a 12-3 record from the mound.
“Shelly had a great year,” Elizondo said. “The whole team rallied around her and she did great things for us this season.”
Grimsely is one of only two seniors, including right fielder Latoya Vice, who will be leaving the Lady Wolves this year.
“Our two seniors were the heart and soul of our team,” Elizondo said. “They wanted to make the best of their final year her and I think they can be proud of how things went.”