East Wins!

I'll leave the details to someone else but the East won the best two out of three series with the West at UNC Charlotte. The East won the first game 3-1, lost the second 4-3 and coasted in game 3 10-3. Some great softball in some very hot conditions. Congratulations to all the ladies.

 

Great news! The tide is turning!

Congratulations EAST!!!!

 

Anybody with any details?

 

Congratulations to the East. Impressive to beat a team that every player has signed to play in college!

 

Don't know for sure but I wouldn't be surprised if both teams' players all had signed.

I wish I could have stayed in Charlotte to see the Seniors. Maybe next year they could have the Senior games in the middle of the undergrad games. But still have the 3-day format.

 

Something I Usually Don't Do

For all the games I attended at UNC-Charlotte I sat myself (and bucket) on the home plate side of the dugout, down the first base line, where I felt I had the best angle to get most of the plays in the infield. So I usually spent a hour and half to two hours with six different teams the first three days not long enough to get to know anyone.

Then for the seniors games, the East Seniors had the first base dugout for what turned into three games and over five hours with the same team. I live in Cornelius and just usually photograph the local high schools, so I don't know any of the girls from the east team.

The first game in the dugout was a little quiet until the girls came from behind to win the first game. There was a little talk between the girls but they too, didn't really know their teammates either. I think it was Kalie Smith (#4) that really broke the ice and started kidding around with her teammates when she found out that they were the first east senior team to win a game at The State Games.

That game loosened up everyone and as you see in the photos the smiles came in bunches and the playfull banter started in the dugout. Even after losing the second game the smiles never left their faces. They seemed to really enjoying, not only playing the games, but the new friends they had made that day.

It was contagious and I was enjoying their company as if I had know them for years. That's when it happened, something I don't usually do, I found myself rooting for these girls to win the third and deciding championship game.

They did win and the smiles were even bigger than before. It was hot and it was a long day but thanks to the east team I had a great day. Thank you ladies!!!

 

13 is Jessi Lane, Harnett Central; 4 is Kalie Smith, Roanoke Rapids; 4th picture is Ashley McGhee, Northern Vance, #12 I think; 5th picture is Kala Hinton, SW Edgecombe; 7 is Ashley Bone, Nash Central.

Throw Tori Williford, Harnett Central and Caitlin Sandy, Jack Britt, into that mix and you've got some happy campers; not to mention awesome players. Add to that those I don't recognize and that's a Gold Medal team--OBVIOUSLY!!

Keep those images coming; you do a great service and do it really well! Nice to meet you, by the way!

 

Thanks Shutterbug

Just wanted to say thanks for all that you did at the State games. I wasn't able to go this year because of work. I looked at the senior pics and see kids my daughter has played with or against since 8 years old. Jessi Lane and Ashley played together on the 10 and under CHALLENGERS team of Bill Schott. Alot of memories come to mind and am glad to see alot of the girls going to play at the next level. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the pictures. Thanks.

 

Thanks for all the wonderful pictures of the state games. I didn't get to see any games, but you and your camera made me feel like I was there. Hope to see ya when the weather cools down. Thanks again!

Paul

 

Shutterbug, when are you going to post the pics from the East/West game and are they available for purchase?