Playing well past most of their bedtimes, the Southern Misses 10-and-under fast-pitch softball team captured the Georgia State Championship in Palmetto Saturday, June 12.

The Southern Misses, consisting mostly of Cedartown players, won the state title by defeating the Mountain Park Panthers 3-1 around midnight that Saturday.

“This is awesome,” Coach Roy Tracy said. “It is almost unheard of for a first-year team to win two tournaments plus the state championship. That is a great tribute to their dedication and love for the sport. We are very proud of these girls.”

The Southern Misses entered the championship bracket undefeated after starting play at 8 a.m.

The Southern Misses won their first game over the Alpharetta Fire 8-4 and took the second game over the Gwinnett Kaos 10-0. In the third game, they defeated the Milford Lightning 8-2 and in game four they downed the Gwinnett Kaos 11-7.

The Southern Misses lost to the Mountain Park Panthers 7-3 before immediately bouncing back to win the title 3-1.

“It feels so good,” Coach Eddy Greenway stated. “We asked these girls to play hard, show good sportsmanship and have fun, and they delivered for us every time. We have a great team. The lessons they have learned this season will be carried over into every aspect of their lives.”

This is the first year for the team to play together as a travel squad. They have traveled to South Cherokee, Austell, Carrollton and Palmetto to play in tournaments against teams from all around the state.

The team began conditioning, training and batting practice in January inside a gym and continued until the weather permitted them to start their training outside in March. Their first tournament was on March 20.

They won their first championship on May 8 at a tournament in Carrollton and claimed their second title June 5 at South Cherokee.

“They always play with determination, heart and soul and respect for each other and the other team,” said Coach Richard Allred. “That is why they are champions. They aged us coaches sometimes in close games, but we always had faith in them. They knew it was not whether they won or lost but how they played the game.”

Members of the team are Sydney Greenway, Katharine Tracy, Keely Smith, Maddie Allred, Josi McKibben, Hannah Jackson, Aubrey Wolfe, Christine Bryan, Lexy Smith, Halee Blackmon, Abby Davis and Megan Cooper.

“I’m proud of each one of them for their season accomplishments,” Coach Tim Jackson said. “We also have a great group of parents who give up their weekends and travel with their daughters to these games. They always give support and encouragement. It is a tremendous sacrifice for the parents, but they never complain about it.”