The Barnwell Angel All-Stars (10-and-under age group) showcased their diamond skills at the Dixie 4 softball tournament June 20-24.

The City of Barnwell hosted this year's tournament with the games being played a the remodeled Lemon Park sports complex.

The nine-team tournament field included Midland Valley, Dentsville, Edisto, Lake Marion, Batesburg-Leesville, Newberry, Prosperity and Orangeburg.

The Barnwell Angel All-Stars advanced to the third round before being eliminated by Lake Marion. Barnwell concluded the tournament with a 1-2 record.

Barnwell coach Kim Cochran said the team played well against stiff competition.

"I'm very proud of our girls. They gave it their all each game," Cochran said. "We played hard, but at the end it was just a case of a little too late."

In the opening round of the tournament Barnwell took on Midland Valley.

In an exciting game which featured big plays on both sides, Barnwell fell behind by four runs before storming back to tie the game at 6-6.

Despite its later heroics, Barnwell was unable to maintain its momentum as Midland Valley scored a run in the sixth inning for a 7-6 victory.

"This game didn't lack any excitement. I thought both teams played very well and showed good sportsmanship," Cochran said.

Midland Valley got on the scoreboard first in the game. Madison Martin doubled, then scored off a hit by Brittney Pixley.

Two innings later, the game was all knotted up at 1-1 apiece. For Barnwell, Jessica Kennedy walked, then scored off a single by Hannah Wise.

In the fourth inning, Midland Valley surged back ahead to take a two-run lead. For Midland Valley, Hayke Fittery and Mia Hallman scored runs.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Barnwell plated a run on an inside-the-park homer by Kyra Shuler. On the play, Shuler drilled a pitch deep to the right centerfield gap. Shuler then turned on the afterburners, rounding the bases and scoring standing up before the ball got back to the catcher at home plate.

"An outstanding play," Cochran said. "Kyra is a very aggressive batter. She does a very good job of putting the bat on the ball."

In the following inning, Midland Valley displayed some offense of its own, scoring three runs for a 6-2 advantage.

Down by four runs, Barnwell fought back in its last at-bat. For Barnwell, Hannah Creech, Rachael Creech, Jessica Kennedy and Ashleigh Kennedy scored to tie the game at 6-6.

"Our girls fell behind, but they didn't give up. They showed a lot of character fighting back to tie the score," Cochran said.
"We then had a chance to win, but just wasn't unable to execute at a crucial time in the game."

On the following day, Barnwell's fortune changed when they came from behind to defeat Edisto by a score of 8-4.

Trailing 4-2, Barnwell erupted for six runs in the fifth inning.

During the inning, Brittin Ray, Logan Still, Brown, Leslee Yearry, Shuler and Ashleigh Kennedu all scored runs.

For the game, offensively, Wise, Keli Brown and Yearry led the way for Barnwell.

The trio accounted for five hits, four runs and three RBIs. Yearry led the way with two hits and two RBIs.

Cochran said offensively they played very well. However, defensively is where the players made the clutch plays at the end to win.

"We had two great defensive plays in the last inning to pull out this victory today," Cochran said.

"The second out was made by second baseman Rachael Creech. She made a great play on a hard-hit ball. She then relayed the throw to Logan Still at first for the second out. The final out was made by Kelci Brown on a stab to her left. She then made a great throw to first base to end the game."

Others playing well included Hannah Creech, Yasmine Wiggins, Jessica Kennedy and Rachael Creech.