Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent
Richmond Hill head softball coach Chris Jenkins was satisfied with his team’s 9-1 and 7-3 doubleheader home sweep over Etowah Wednesday afternoon in the opening round of the Class 7 Region 1 playoffs. But Jenkins knows his team is capable of more.
“It was not our best offensive performance,” said Jenkins. “But we came through with some clutch at-bats when we needed them.”
The Wildcats rallied for six runs in the second inning of Game One, and five runs in the sixth inning of Game Two.
Jenkins cited the play of Kainani Auld, Delaney McDonald, and Ahnalyah Estevez, as well as pitcher Gessilyn Clark, who twirled two complete games. The first game went five innings.
“They all had great days,” added Jenkins of his aforementioned trio. “Gessilyn Clark threw 12 total innings, but did a nice job of keeping her pitch count down.”
Senior Ainsley Washington saw the game as a strong team effort, one in which her team stayed in gear.
“I saw it as a really good game,” said Washington. “The team kept high energy, no matter what. We all put our best effort in and didn’t give up.”
Teammate Lennon Monaco also believed the Wildcats showed focused, high-energy effort.
“The energy in the dugout was unreal,” said Monaco. “ From the start of the first game to the last inning of the second, we never let up. No one played selfishly, everyone played for the name on the front, and not just the number on the back.
“There were moments where we could have given up, but it only gave us more adrenaline to push forward. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of these girls. There wasn’t a single moment when we weren't there for one another, supporting and backing each other up. Everyone played as one.
Monaco was proud of an all-around showing
“We definitely gave them a run for their money,” added Monaco. “Our bats were strong, and we made outstanding defensive plays. Gessilyn Clark, our pitcher, did an incredible job on the mound, making innings fly by.”
Jenkins agreed with his players about their performances.
“They were pretty locked in,” said Jenkins. “I was proud of the energy and mindset they brought today. Two things you have to have this time of year.”
The Wildcats will host the winner of Dacula-Paulding County next Wednesday Oct. 21.
“We know very little about them,” said Jenkins. “We’ll get back to work.”