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On Tuesday, the Callaway softball team crushed Columbia in a doubleheader, but more importantly, the team got a chance to celebrate two — Kyla Harris and Ava Shuford — on senior night. 

 

GAME ONE: 

Callaway – 17

Columbia  – 0

 

It took all of 2.5 innings for the Cavaliers to dominate their region opponent in game one. The Cavaliers put 11 runs past the Eagles in the first before adding six more in the second to take a commanding lead.

The Cavaliers had two home run hitters on the night with Savannah Rice and senior Shuford both hitting inside the park homers in the first inning. 

Kaitlyn Williams led the way offensively in game one with three RBIs and two runs to go along with her hit. Rice, Shuford and Kinley Smith each had a hit apiece in the first game. 

Callaway took 13 walks in game one.

Mackenzie Toney got the start on the mound in game one, allowing just two hits on five strikeouts. Layla Elkins pitched the final inning in relief, allowing one hit on one strikeout.

 

GAME TWO:

Callaway – 16

Columbia – 1

 

Despite letting the Eagles take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the Cavaliers quickly struck back to earn another dominant region victory in just three innings of play. 

After Shuford had an inside the park home run in the first game, Harris decided to get one of her own when she legged one out in the first inning of game two. 

McKinley Milner, Karlie Walker, Madison Kemp, Lakyn Gates, Jackie Pitts, Mikayla Blankenship and Toney all had a hit each in game two. 

Bella Cleveland got the start on the mound and pitched two innings, allowing just one hit on four strikeouts. Elkins pitched the final inning, striking out three batters.

 

MEET THE SENIORS

 

Harris and Shuford are more than just teammates. Their bond shines through well beyond life on the diamond.

“We’ve gotten in trouble together, shared a lot of laughs together,” Shuford said. “We’ve grown even closer over the years playing softball together.

“We are besties on and off the field.”

The love they share powers them through even the tough moments.

“We might bicker here and there, but we can always crack each other up with jokes and make it better,” Harris said.

They each got the call to join the high school jv team in eighth grade and have not looked back.

“It’s been excellent to be a Cavalier,” Harris said as the two shared a laugh. “It has been a great experience, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Shuford added that Callaway “feels like a family more than anything.”

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

 

The Cavaliers will play rivals and softball powerhouse Heard County on Wednesday before traveling to take on region leader Eagle’s Landing on Thursday.