The DeFuniak Springs Senior League Softball squad that claimed district and section titles is now also a state champion after winning three games in two days in Plant City over the weekend.
The team posted shutout wins over Inverness and South Putnam by an 11-0 margin in both contests on Saturday to win Pool B and advance to the state title game on Sunday morning.
The squad then earned a 9-2 win over East Orange in the title game with the help of a home run from Jamie Lamb and dominant pitching from Hannah Poole, who struck out 26 batters while allowing only two runs in three games..
The Senior League squad has a combined 6-0 record in competition and has outscored their opponents 66-7 in that time and are believed to be the first DeFuniak Springs Little League squad to win a state title and move on to the next round.
The players and coaches will be off to Fort Myers later this week as they prepare to take part in the Southeast Region of Little League Softball’s Senior League championship.
The tournament will consist of two pools with a total of seven teams. The DeFuniak Springs squad will play in Pool A and face teams from Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Pool B will comprise squads from Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. Competition will begin on Saturday, July 26 with the Walton County squad guaranteed to play at least three games.
The winner of the event will advance to the World Series in Lower Sussex, Delaware, the first weekend in August.
Team members include Kiki Bogart, Hannah Poole, Cristen Gillis, Kelee Mosley, Jasmin Hester, Sydni Earley, Jamie Lamb, Jade Larrick, Mara Morse and Kayla Atchley. Coaches are Ryan Poole, Steven Laird and Blon Carter.
Those associated with the team are looking to help raise money to fund the trip to Fort Myers this week. Anyone who would like to donate to the local squad on their quest should contact Gina Ealum at (850) 306-5205.
