BY JOSH FLOYD
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
DAMASCUS, Va. – With preseason softball meetings involving coaches on the proverbial February docket, many local skippers are not only focused on their respective schedules and dates, but also wanting to learn more about the other formidable district teams.
But an innovative, yet thoughtful idea – having benefit games to help raise cancer awareness – that was brought up for a May debut caught the ears of Holston coach Lisa Blackburn.
And for good reason. Blackburn’s high-school confidant and good friend Penny Garrett, who graduated with her from Holston, has been battling a soft-tissue
cancer known as uterine leiomyosarcoma following diagnosis nearly 18 months ago.
“Once she started her foundation [this year], I thought that would be the perfect thing,” said Blackburn, whose squad posted a well-fought 1-0 victory Monday
over visiting Lebanon during Holston’s first annual Strike-Out Cancer benefit for the Penny F. Garrett Sarcoma Foundation. “That was a perfect partnership for
us. We’ve just been friends for a long time, and a lot of the girls know her – and love her. We’re just really excited to be able to put today’s proceeds towards
her foundation.”
In attendance at the event was Garrett, who thanked the teams, the support and the contributions that continue to fuel her determined drive towards full triumph against such a rare disease.
And the host Cavaliers (17-1) certainly made Garrett proud, as first baseman Taylor Doss would score the game’s lone run in the sixth – an unearned one
thanks to two Pioneer infield miscues.
“We’ve had them all year,” admitted Lebanon coach Sheila Davis, whose squad currently sits second in the competitive Clinch Mountain District
standings. “This is about the 10th one-run game we’ve had so far. But today, we were probably one hit and one play away – and that’s the way it is sometimes.”
Holston starter Morgan Lowe allowed just three hits while striking out an eye-opening 13 in improving to 15-1 on the season. Lowe, who faced the minimum through three frames, gave up a Katie Smith triple and a Julie Leonard bunt single before fanning Lori Witt and Meredith Farmer to foil the biggest rally from Lebanon (7-7).
“We enjoy playing a quality team like Lebanon, because they always give us a good game,” said Blackburn. “It just gets us ready heading into the district tournament next week – and on down the line. We have to play good teams to beat good teams.”
An added bonus for Holston, which received two hits from leadoff batter Megan Honaker, is that the Region C tournament will be played in its friendly confines.
And after having qualified for that coveted tourney a year ago, Blackburn feels her squad wants a bit more this spring.
“We’re really excited knowing that we’re going to the region, especially since we’re hosting it here,” concluded Blackburn, whose squad has already claimed the Hogoheegee District regular-season crown. “Making it to the regionals last year was important for us – and now, they’ve had a taste of that. Now, they’re
excited about everyone having to come here and play some good softball.”
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