Marengo Maverick bows out in elimination round after strong showing

The Marengo Maverick, a Demopolis-based 12U fastpitch softball team, bounced back from a sluggish start at the NSA Fall Championship in Millbrook Saturday before eventually falling in the elimination round. Game one was marred by errors and a hitless effort against the Birmingham-based Lady Giants. Marengo only put one player on base in the game.

The Maverick collected themselves for the next two games, which lead to a do-over with the Lady Giants. The team batted .363 in the rematch.

“Against the same pitcher, and she was throwing bullets. The fastest pitching we’ve seen all fall by a long shot,” says Jason Cannon, one of the team’s coaches. “Our girls just made the decision to attack.”
The Maverick’s road to elimination play was a tough one, running through the Nos. 1 and 2 (twice) seeded teams.

“It was a tough draw for sure, but we made them earn it,” Cannon says. “We made them take it from us, which is all we could ask from the players.”

The consistency of Maverick pitchers stole the spotlight Saturday. Haylee Rowley pitched three innings, only allowing three walks to 28 batters. Caroline Larkin tossed one quality inning in relief.

Lizzie Cannon got five innings work, allowing one walk and getting three strikeouts in 47 batters.

From the plate, Stevani Foster went 1-for-2, Mary Creigh Smith, Wessie Jacobs, Emily Lovette and Haylee Rowley each went 1-for-3. Larkin drew a walk. Cannon reached base in all three games. Once on a hit by pitch and twice on errors.
“All the players put the ball in play,” Cannon noted. “Our contact is consistently improving. We’re making the other team make a play, and in some cases they’re making errors.”

The Maverick plan to close fall play Nov. 21.