Changing of the Guard

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September 26, 2012

Changing of the Guard

Clarkdale routs defending state champion Enterprise to clinch division under interim coach Bennett

By Tony Tsoukalas / Sports Writer The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Wed Sep 26, 2012, 06:00 AM CDT

ENTERPRISE —     The Clarkdale High School Bulldogs clinched the Region 6-2A championship Tuesday night, taking advantage of nine Enterprise High School errors en route to a 14-2 win.

   Newly named interim head coach Britt Bennett said the win was extra sweet for Clarkdale, as it not only served as a clinching win, but also one against a rival school. Bennett confirmed to The Meridian Star after the game, he will be coaching in replacement of Rick Roberson for the remainder of the season after Roberson was terminated earlier in the day. Roberson, who coached slow-pitch at Clarkdale since 1993 and fast-pitch since starting the program in 1995, has won a combined 914 games, losing 291 with three ties. He also led the Bulldogs to seven slow-pitch and four fast-pitch state championships.

   “This is our biggest rival,” Bennett said. “These schools are only about 10 miles apart. It feels pretty good to win.”

   Clarkdale started the game off fast, capitalizing on three Enterprise errors in the first inning to lead 6-0 after the top of the first.

   “You take away those errors in the first inning and it is a whole new ball game,” Enterprise head coach Davey Dewitt said. “We had exactly what we wanted. We walked (Lauren) Thrash and took her out of the game, we just couldn't get anyone else out.”

   Enterprise was determined not to let Thrash, Clarkdale’s leadoff hitter, beat them. Enterprise intentionally walked the powerful hitter all four times she came to the plate, including once with the bases loaded.

   “They walked Lauren again, but our girls just hit behind her,” Bennett said. “I'll be honest with you, in most cases I'd walk her too. She has unbelievable power.”

   After shutting down Enterprise in the bottom of the first, Clarkdale was back at it in the top of the second. An Enterprise error allowed Molly McLeod to reach base to lead off the inning. Shelby Blackwell followed with a single, and after another error Clarkdale got singles from Breanna Ivey and Kristen Mitchell to extend the lead to 9-0 heading into the bottom of the second.

   Clarkdale continued to pour it on the rest of the game, scoring a run in the third and four more in the fourth to lead 14-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth. Enterprise rallied for two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but an Emmalee Roberts fly out with two outs and the bases loaded to end the game.

   Clarkdale was led on offense by Blackwell, who went 3-for-4 on the day with three RBI's.

   “She went to her strength tonight,” Bennett said. “She didn't try to do too much. She hit three screamers down the left-field line, and that's what she does best.”

   The win moves Clarkdale to 12-8 on the season, while Enterprise moves to 10-10 with the loss.

   “This was a really big win for us,” Blackwell said. “It feels really good to be champs.”

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Changing of the Guard

Clarkdale routs defending state champion Enterprise to clinch division under interim coach Bennett

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