Ardmore Xtreme Take Second Consecutive Limestone County Title

by Dwight Turner

A year ago the Ardmore Xtreme, a 12-and-under girls’ softball team, had a highly successful season, which was topped off with a Limestone County Championship. The 2006 season was even better.

Ardmore Xtreme finished the regular season as county champions after posting a 13-1 record. The girls added to their list of accomplishments by winning the post-season county tournament as well.

Xtreme started the tournament with wins over East 2 and West 1 by scores of 19-2 and 18-6. After these two wins, the Xtreme took on No. 2 seed Clements 2 in the semi-finals and pulled out a thrilling 9-8 win. Trailing 8-7 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kristi Godwin came to the plate with the bases loaded and blasted a long drive over the centerfielder’s head to drive in the tying and winning runs and put the Xtreme in the finals.

Members of Ardmore Xtreme, 12-and-under Girls’ Softball Limestone County Champions for the second consecutive year, include, from left, front row, Ashleigh Tolbert, Kristi Godwin, Sara Wales, Shelby Gooding, Haley Covington, Frankie Ary; standing, Head Coach Richard Green; Nicole Carter, Jessica Posey, Ally Pritchett, Chelsea Sides, Maggie Mitchell, Morgan Williams, Jensen Kirby, Kaitlin Green, and Assistant Coach Kim Pritchett. (courtesy photo)

Clements 2 fought their way back to the finals by pulling out a come-from-behind 14-12 win over Elkmont 2, after trailing by as much as 12-3.

Xtreme and Clements 2 met for the second time on Friday night. Xtreme pitcher Kaitlin Green retired Clements 2 in order in the top of the first and Xtreme came to bat. Ardmore exploded for three runs on doubles from Jensen Kirby, Kristi Godwin and Shelby Gooding. Kaitlin Green topped things off with a triple.

Clements 2 responded by loading the bases with no outs in the top of the second, but was unable to push across a run. The first batter popped out to Xtreme third baseman Frankie Ary and Green mowed down the next two hitters on strikeouts. Ardmore scored two more runs in the bottom of the second on a leadoff single by Ally Pritchett, two walks, and a double by Kaitlin Green.

Clements 2 got the bats going in the third and scored three runs before the Ardmore defense closed the door. The Xtreme answered with two more runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a two-run homer by Maggie Mitchell.

In the fourth inning, Ardmore held Clements 2 scoreless and added two more runs on a homer by Nicole Carter.

Xtreme exploded for eight runs in the fifth inning on singles from Maggie Mitchell, Sara Wales, and Morgan Williams. Chelsea Sides added a double and Kaitlin Green and Shelby Gooding chipped in triples. Ardmore also had a pair of homers from Jessica Posey and Nicole Carter.

When the dust finally settled and the last out was recorded, Ardmore won by a score of 17-3 and took home the first place trophy.

“It has been an honor to coach such a special group of girls this year,” said Head Coach Richard Green. “They have displayed great teamwork and sportsmanship and truly deserve to be called champions.”

Green is assisted by Jeff Wales, Troy Mitchell, and Kim Pritchett.