Monday, April 26, the Central softball team went on the road to face off against the Boyd Buchanan Lady Bucs. The Lady Bucs put hard hit balls in play and rarely struck out which helped them put together a trio of three run innings. This consistent offensive production helped Boyd Buchanan cruise to a 10-0 run-rule victory.

On defense, Boyd quickly extinguished all life in the Central offense despite solid contact from the Lady Pounders. Regardless of the lopsided score, Central showed how much they had improved in all facets of the game.

“I feel like the team has grown together from the first game until now,” said Senior Carmen Crabtree. “We have gotten a lot better on offense and defense and I think that it’s going to show in the [district] tournament.”

On Tuesday, April 27, the Lady Pounders hosted the Hixson Lady Wildcats in their final home game of the season. This night also served as Senior Night, which is an annual tradition where fans, coaches, and teammates honor senior softball players. This year, the Central softball community payed tribute to Christiana Appling, Carmen Crabtree, and Kassy Griffith.

Through the first three innings, the game was a pitchers duel. In the top of the fourth, the Hixson sluggers broke the game open by hanging a five spot on the purple and gold. The Lady Pounders came up dry in their attempt to cut away at the deficit in their half of the fourth. In the next inning, the Lady Wildcats tallied two additional runs. With the score at 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth, the Central bats came alive and brought across their first two runs of the game. Both offenses went cold until the Hixson offense struck again in the seventh, hanging up yet another crooked number. The Pounders brought across two more in the last frame thanks to a Kassy Griffith RBI but that offensive spark proved too little, too late. When it was all said and done, the Hixson Lady Wildcats bested the Central Lady Pounders by a score of 12-4.

This week, on Tuesday, May 4, the Lady Pounders will rematch the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Patriots. Central lost to the CSAS Patriots in the first game of the season, but after exponential improvement in team chemistry and skill, the Lady Pounders are looking to avenge their opening day loss.

Readers can view the latest sports updates on the sports center page. This is where schedules, scores, and rosters will be posted. The Digest will continue to bring the latest coverage and updates as the 2021 season progresses.