The 10 and under all star softball team from Hartsville, the Dixie Angels, won the state championship during the weekend of July 11-16.
The Dixie Angels entered the tournament representing the City of Hartsville and battled their way to a three-way tie with Hannahan and Union for the state title. Hartsville played its first state championship game against Union on Wednesday, July 16, head coach Timmy Drotar said.
Cayla Drotar took the mound for the Angels and recorded 11 strikeouts in five innings of work allowing no runs. “The Union game was more of a pitching duel,” said the coach. Jaclyn Ponder closed out the game in the sixth inning.
Cierra Dixon came to the plate in the sixth inning with two outs and quickly got to an 0-2 count. Then, Dixon knocked in the game winning, and only, run scoring Sydney Ferrence and giving the Angels a 1-0 victory. Drotar, Dixon, Ferrence and Ponder all had hits during the game.
That victory set the team up against Hannahan for the title.
Dixon was the starting pitcher for the Angels and pitched four innings and gave up only two hits, Drotar said.
Ponder closed out this game as well in the fifth inning striking out all three batters she faced.
The Angels managed an 8-2 win over Hannahan and brought home the state championship.
For Hartsville, Drotar, Emily Hayes, Ciondi Bess and Dixon had RBIs.
Michael O’neal, Lia Davis, Jayson Hicks, Katlyn Wellmon, Bess, Ferrence and Zoe Carter all logged hits in the game for the Angels.
That game gave the Dixie Angels the state title and a trip to Louisiana to play in the World Series.
They will leave Hartsville Thursday, July 31, for Alexandria, La., and the 10 and under World Series where they will represent Hartsville and South Carolina against the nation’s best 10 and under softball teams.
“I’m very honored to represent the city of Hartsville and the State of South Carolina,” coach Drotar said. “(Most) people only dream about going to the World Series.
“This may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the girls.”
Drotar said he believes the girls will be very competitive and have a shot at being in the championship game.
“It feels like a dream come true for me, the coaches and the girls,” he said.
The opening ceremonies for the tournament will be held Friday, Aug. 1.
The tournament will be played from Saturday, Aug. 2, through Wednesday, Aug. 6.
The Dixie Angels’ first game will be at noon on Aug. 2 against the team from Tennessee.
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