Prep Sports

RANBURNE — Ranburne's Samantha Snow is not your average high school softball pitcher.

For starters, she doesn't posses the size and apparent strength associated with the prototypical hurler. But that didn't keep her from winning a pair of games in the second round of the AHSAA Class 1A sub-state to give the unranked Bulldogs (27-9) their first berth in the State Championship Tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery. They'll face G.W. Long (18-6) at 9 a.m.

Still, not even Ranburne coach Bobby Ray Green could accurately articulate how Snow, who stands at 5-foot-4 and probably doesn't weigh an ounce over 100 pounds, can muster the same velocity on pitches as girls who stand taller.

"I don't know," Ray said. "It's all about location with her. She hits those spots."

According to Snow, her power lies within.

"I have a lot of heart," Snow said. "I just put my all into every pitch. I love to win. I hate to lose and I do everything that I can to win."

The senior matured best on the mental side of the game. She used to press with runners in scoring position, but now takes things as they come.

"I've gotten better with people getting hits off of me," Snow said. "I used to take it personally. I used to worry more about the the runners on base than the batter on the plate. Now, when runners are on base, it doesn't matter to me."

Central to Snow's success has been her guiding force behind the plate. Junior catcher Emilee Young quarterbacks the Bulldogs' defense, which has limited opponent's seven runs in four postseason victories this spring. Young, the daughter of Ranburne baseball coach Bart Young, calls all of the Bulldogs' pitches and has done so since Green became coach.

"Oh yeah," Green said when asked if he regards the catcher's judgment with as much esteem as his own. "She studies the game. That's the key right there. I may call one (pitch) if it's a big situation."

But Emilee can manage most any situation when it comes to Snow.

"She can switch the pitches up," Emilee said of her battery mate. "She can throw the fastball and then come back with a change up. By the first pitch we usually know if they're a pull hitter or if they're going to be late … I've always been around the game and I've always wanted to learn. So, daddy's taught me."

Having a coach on the field makes Snow's job as easy as 1-2-3 — as in, strikes and you're out.

"I really don't do a whole lot; she does it all," said Snow referring to Young. "She calls the pitches and I throw them. She knows the batters better than I do. She's up there with them all the time."

Ranburne gets the brunt of its offensive production from Emilee, freshman third baseman Lindy Green, shortstop Gracie Ayers, and cleanup hitter and first baseman Carla Smith among others.

For a squad that has reached the sub-states the past two seasons but stood in the shadows of a storied baseball team that has made it to the playoffs for 14 of the past 15 seasons, winning a state title would be a landmark achievement.

"It's exciting," Snow said. "I still can't believe we made it. Now, all we have to do is play hard and give it all we've got."

Rain spoils opening day

Inclement weather labeled as "tornadic activity" by at least one media outlet washed away most of the first day of state softball tournament in Montgomery on Thursday.

The double-elimination tournament was able to complete just four games before thunder showers left the six fields at Lagoon Park virtually underwater.

Three teams in The Star's coverage areas were slated for 9 a.m. games. Spring Garden lost 8-3 to Milry. Munford was shut out 8-0 by West Blocton, a day after it was announced that coach Kathy Brown would not be with the team due to undisclosed circumstances.

Ragland's opening round game against Pleasant Home was suspended in the fifth inning with the Lady Purple Devils ahead 8-6. The remainder of that game will be played when the tournament reconvenes today, as will the rest of today's slate. Tournament officials would not release an official statement concerning a contingency plan for Saturday if today's games are rained out as well.