The seniors of Douglas High School softball pose for a photo prior to their doubleheader against Carson Saturday. Pictured from left to right are Mya Roberts, Mercedes Covey, Lilyann Lee, Haley Wilkinson, Talia Tretton, Zora Simpson, Lexi Hyde, Shasta Lumsden and Ava Delaney.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
For the second consecutive season, Douglas High School softball completed the Class 5A North league slate without a loss.
Both the 2023 and 2024 seasons end with a flawless 16-0 record and, once again this season, the Tigers will hold the No. 1 seed in next week’s regional tournament.
Douglas will begin the regional tournament Wednesday at home against No. 8 Reno at 4 p.m.
Sweep of Carson
The elements didn’t threaten the Tigers’ chances at sweeping Carson as Douglas dispatched their rivals 11-1 (5) and 10-0 (6).
In game one, Mercedes Covey got the scoring started in the first as the senior smacked an RBI single to right. Fellow senior Mya Roberts knocked in an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the next at-bat.
In the fourth, Lilyann Lee deposited a two-run homer deep beyond the left field fence, giving Douglas a 7-1 lead.
Lee showed off just how much pop she has at the plate, powering her home run through a stiff, steady breeze blowing in from centerfield for her team-leading 10th big fly of the spring.
In the fifth, Ava Delaney and Marissa McLelland recorded RBI singles before Talia Tretton plated them both, ending the game by run rule.
Game two was more of the same.
Junior Annie Hill was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and a RBI.
Tretton led the way with four RBIs in the 10-0 win. In the circle, she concluded the two-game set with 20 strikeouts and gave up four hits.
Perfection yet again
Douglas ends the league season allowing a grand total of seven runs to league opponents. Last season, the Tigers surrendered 20 runs in 16 league games.
The nine seniors will finish their careers without a regular season league loss since their sophomore season, going a perfect 32-0 as upperclassmen.
There are still boxes left to fill-in on the checklist this postseason, but the Tigers have already solidified their place in the record books.
They can only add to their legacy.
“They’re phenomenal. They are 32-0 in the last two years in league, which is unheard of,” said Douglas head coach John Glover. “They really put together something special. We have some work ahead of us next week and they’ve just done everything the right way and that’s what I’m most proud of them about.”
Many in the group have been together since well before they stepped onto the high school field.
Last year’s state title will be one of the core memories they’ll have forever.
“I love this team and the environment we share is unbelievable. Last year winning state, dog piling, I think from there we grew a bond together. Being a senior, it’s sad obviously, but I love these girls with my whole heart,” said Covey, who finished with three hits Saturday. “I know that I’m going to remember them as long as I live.”
As next week’s regional tournament approaches, playing with teammates they’ve grown up beside adds to the value.
“I think just playing with all the girls I grew up with has been really fun,” said senior Zora Simpson. “Everything we’ve worked toward has been this year.”
“I don’t think we really understand what we’ve done. I think it’ll hit us toward the end of this season,” said Covey.
There are only a finite number of games left for the Tiger seniors, but the end doesn’t feel in sight.
The Tigers’ senior class doesn’t have to start reminiscing just yet. Their accomplishments will be remembered for decades to come.
First round 5A North regional matchups
No. 8 Reno (3-13) at No. 1 Douglas (16-0)
No. 5 Galena (6-10) at No. 4 Reed (11-5)
No. 7 Damonte Ranch (4-12) at No. 2 Spanish Springs (13-3)
No. 6 McQueen (5-11) at No. 3 Bishop Manogue (12-4)
*All games Wednesday at 4 p.m.
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