Softball: Lady Lightning, Aftershock strike twice

The proliferation of national baseball and softball events hosted by Frank Brown Park every summer serve as a drawing card to bring thousands of visitors to Panama City Beach.

Seldom have they received as rude a welcome as in last week’s USFA Softball World Series, as area teams won championships in both the 16-under A and B divisions.

The Aftershock, boasting six players from the area claimed the A crown and the Bay County-based Lady Lightning took home the B title.

Possibly most surprising was the Aftershock, a first-year program based out of Bristol that was competing in only its fourth tournament. Even more startling, the Aftershock stumbled to a 1-2 record in pool play, and when facing the Sharpsburg Chill (Georgia) in the championship finals, had to lose twice to finish second and were defeated 4-2 in Game 1.

“The teams that beat us in pool play didn’t even make it until the end, we just didn’t show up,” said Coach Paul Sikes, who formed the Aftershock squad after breaking off from Team North Florida prior to this summer season.

“We knew we could play better than what we showed up to do. When we beat Team North Florida” to reach the Gold Bracket four survivors was when thoughts of a possible title surfaced.

Sikes said there were 18 teams in the “A” field. He credited “all 11 (players) to do this, it was a big team effort on their part,” but noted the contribution of Liberty County’s Kayla Johnson in the last game.

Not only did she pitch a shutout, but Johnson drove in Nikki Anico of Tallahassee with the lone run of the game in the sixth inning.

The team also included Ashley Sikes and Carly Sapp of Bristol, Brianne Whatley and Kaitlyn Sirmons of Quincy, Jessica Smith of Wewahitchka, Misty Doran of Jay, Kayla Hussey of Wakulla, Kinsley Faulkenberry of Panama City and Whitney Lipford of Marianna.

Sikes said the split from Team North Florida, which finished fifth at nationals, wasn’t an acrimonious one, but based on economics when he said his former group wanted to play a more extensive travel schedule.

The Aftershock thus was formed, and practiced on a weekly basis in Bristol, often as long as five hours. In its prior three tournaments it had won two titles and finished third.

“This was a very big accomplishment, and a chance to get these girls seen,” Sikes said.

The Lady Lightning had a somewhat more conventional route to the “B” championship. They secured the crown on home runs by Curstin Taylor and Shannon Godfrey, and were buoyed by winning pitcher Becca Taylor, Curstin’s older sister, in the circle.

There were 38 teams in the B Division, which although it might be a notch below in caliber and the experience of many players, is highly competitive with more teams and some that might be influenced to play down into B for a better shot at a national title.

“Eight of our 13 are still eligible to play 14-under, and seeing that we have three girls who had never played travel ball we’re extremely young for the 16 division,” first-year Lightning coach Teri Robertson explained why her ballclub played in B.

In addition, Robertson also was new to the dugout having coached for the first time during last year’s fall season.

“Basically they needed a coach … I wanted the girls to continue playing,” Robertson said. “I never expected to carry over into summer.”

Robertson said that Lightning competed against teams from Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Indiana, Missouri and Texas en route to a 7-1-1 record, 6-0 in bracket play. The farther teams travel, she said, indicates they believe they have a legitimate shot at the title.

“When we started out with bracket games I could tell the way the girls were playing they were motivated,” Robertson said. “I just don’t think they were going to settle for anything less” than a championship.

“We had stellar pitching and defense. Those are the key to playing those tougher teams.”

The Lightning had played in six tournaments prior to nationals, winning their first two before hitting a lull during the summer. They were able to peak again last week in their final event of the year.

Becca and Curstin Taylor, the latter only 13, handled pitching and Curstin’s first home run gave the Lightning the lead in the final game. Godfrey, who played multiple positions, overcame a 2-1 deficit with her three-run shot. Sarah Robertson caught all seven tournaments, and called all the pitches at nationals.

The team included Reagan Oliver and Madison Gullet are from Marianna, Katie Lacour and Brittney King from Port St. Joe, Sarah Roberson, Kailyn Helms and Godfrey from Arnold, Becca Taylor from Rutherford, Kayla Whitaker from Mosley, Amber Wade from Bozeman, and Graysen Gladden (Mowat, Mosley), Sarah Robertson (Everitt, Arnold), and Curstin Taylor (Everitt, Rutherford) are the middle school students about the enter high school.

“Personally I think the Panhandle is well represented in every tournament we go to,” she said of the sweep of 16U titles. “The Lady Lightning is a strong organization and just draws talent from this area.”

Panama City Poison forged a 7-3 record to place fifth in the B Division.