Blue Devils softball ends triumphant season
Coaches and parents of the Blue Devils softball team anticipated that Jensen Beach might finally be ready to give the undefeated Hobe Sound softball team some revenge in their final tournament game Saturday, May 14, at Palm City.
The girls thought otherwise, their confidence buoyed by a nearly flawless, undefeated season. Although, at times, the contest against Jensen Beach was “a nail-biter,” according to one parent, the Hobe Sound team regained their earlier lead over Jensen in time to claim the win, 12-8. The well-coached Blue Devils triumphed due to their cool, consistent fielding, exceptional pitching, and powerful bats.
Earlier in the day, the Blue Devils handed Palm City a trouncing with a score of 16-2 in the tourney that would end their season.
During their last four regular-season games, the Hobe Sound team tallied four additional wins: against Martin County, the score was 13-2 on April 9; against Jensen Beach on April 16, the score was 21-13; and on April 23, the Blue Devils topped Martin County with a score of 11-8. The team faced Jensen Beach again on April 30, walking away with yet another win and a score of 20-4.
Highlights among the games came from catcher Casey Edgerly making sharp plays at home base, with pitchers Shannon Norton and Chloe Griffin delivering on their throws. Emily Mantz fielded an outfield catch for the out in the April 16 game against Jensen Beach that made the crowd gasp. In that game, Devon Clowdus hit a home run, Shannon Norton hit a triple, and Samantha Williams fielded three infield hits, making good throws to Devon at first base, to tally three outs. Caroline Nolan and Kaitlyn Kepke went two for three at bat.
Angel Jamison smashed a hard line drive to left field against Martin County on April 23 to score a triple that cleaned the bases, during a game with strong pitching from Chloe Griffin and Shannon Norton. Caroline Nolan was behind home plate. Katie Yuskas and Sydney Greene also thrilled the crowd with two hits each to the outfield in the game against Martin County.
Many Blue Devils saw lots of action in the April 30 game against Jensen Beach with Caroline Nolan, Emily Leimer, and Angel Jamison all going three for three at bat, with Angel putting her first home run on the scorebook. Jolie Urgo-Dubay kept her cool at bat, taking three walks that led to scored runs.
Chloe Griffin and Emily Leimer got four strikeouts each on the mound.
In tournament play May 14, MacKenzie Armstrong laid down two beautiful bunts in both games, and Cassidy Hydes moved players around the bases, too, with her bunt.
The tournament showcased the excellent coaching the team received this year from David Bessent and his daughters, Moriah Kreidler and Autumn Kepke. No more softball until the fall season begins. Watch for announcements in the August issue of Hobe Sound Currents.
