CALEDONIA — Caledonia High School fast-pitch softball coach Robin Elmore kept her squad in the outfield for a lengthy heart-to-heart talk Monday night.
Elmore’s speech could be summed up rather quickly: She wants her Lady Confederates to take it to the next level next season.
Caledonia returned to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A playoffs for the first time since 2007 this season.
However, the Lady Feds learned quickly there is a big difference between qualifying and advancing.
Pontotoc broke open a tight game with nine runs in its final at-bat to take a 15-2 win, clinching a best-of-three series in the “play-in” round of the playoffs.
Pontotoc (15-9) won both games in the series and will face Lewisburg in the first-round of the playoffs. For Caledonia (17-10), the season is now over.
“I told them the hard work begins now,” Elmore said. “You are back in the playoffs. That is an accomplishment. Now, you have to prove you belong. You have to work a little harder to move this thing along.”
Senior outfielder Lindsey Burton feels like the future is bright for Caledonia, which won the north state title in 2007 and its last state title in 2004.
“I think they are going to get it done,” Burton said. “I love my teammates and I hate that this is over. We will get a sign (on the outfield wall) for making the playoffs. I told the players who will be back, I expect bigger and better signs.”
The Lady Feds had some atypical struggles Monday night. Ponototoc received eight walks and also benefited from a pair of errors.
“You hate to lose, but what is disappointing is that it was so out of character,” Elmore said. “We did things we normally don’t do and that is confusing.”
Senior first baseman Cate Sansing said her team struggled while stepping onto the big stage.
“I think I am the only player out here who had played in a playoff game before,” Sansing said. “It’s a whole different atmosphere and a whole different intensity.
“I think the nerves got us and really played a role because we didn’t perform like we are capable of performing.”
Pontotoc won the series opener 3-1 at home. The Warriors had no such scare Monday night.
“We have been a roller coaster the entire season,” Pontotoc coach Jessica Seger said. “However, the last three weeks, we have really done a better job of hitting the ball. We have been more selective and waited for better pitches.
“That was the key tonight. Our attention to detail was great.”
Despite a slow start, Caledonia actually scored twice in the first inning and led 2-1.
Pontotoc scored three times in the second inning and did not trail again.
Burton had two magnificent catches in the outfield to help keep the Warriors at bay.
Pontotoc finally broke through with nine runs on nine base hits in the seventh.
Caledonia had 10 hits. Burton, Sansing, and Ashley Langford were Elmore’s only seniors. Each had multiple hits in their final game with the Lady Feds.
“This is not how we wanted it to end,” said Langford, the team’s catcher. “However, I will take a lot of great memories from playing here. It was an incredible experience.
“There is no doubt the next couple of years are going to be really good out here.”
Haley Spears had three of Pontotoc’s 18 hits in the contest.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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