Aynor softball wins, advances to state finals

Heading into the playoffs, Aynor softball coach Sandie Jones had a good feeling that her team would win the Lower State tournament.

Six wins later, the Blue Jackets have done just that.

Aynor held off a Johnsonville comeback attempt in the seventh inning, and the Blue Jackets edged the Flashes 3-2 Friday in the Lower State championship to advance to the Class AA state title game for the first time since 1990 – when the Blue Jackets won the championship as a Class A program.

“Going into this thing, I said we had a very good chance of winning the Lower State,” Jones said. “Now here we are, thanks to all of these girls’ hard work and dedication. These young girls have played their hearts out and never give up. No matter how many errors we make or hits we don’t execute, they never give up and just keep battling. That’s commitment right there, commitment to win ballgames.”

Aynor has had no problem picking up victories as it has won 10 straight games.

Heading into the playoffs, the Blue Jackets had won their final four region contests by a combined score of 66-2. Aynor is also a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs, and the Blue Jackets have outscored their postseason opponents by a combined score of 50-13.

Aynor has played all of the games at home during the 10-game winning streak and has scored a total of 106 runs in that span.

“These girls have no fear,” Jones said. “They work hard and are committed to doing what’s right.”

On Friday, the Blue Jackets put up three runs early on to set the tone. Taylor Charlton scored on a fielder’s choice to put Aynor up 2-0. Then, Shelby Cox had an RBI single and Layna Johnson also scored on the play to put Aynor up 3-0.

“We knew this was going to be a close game,” Jones said. “The Flashes are a good team and we knew we were going to have to play hard and execute and make sure we capitalized on the things we needed to capitalize on. We always knew what was going on from the get-go.”

Johnsonville’s comeback attempt was started with an error by Aynor starter Brooke Elliott – who botched a throw to first base – and Maggie Leviner scored on the play to cut the Flashes’ deficit to two runs. Then, with one out, Jessica Feagin scored on a Kayla Ard groundout to bring Johnsonville within one run. Elliott then forced a fly out to end the game and clinch a berth to the state finals.

“We were able to hold them off and we never gave up,” Jones said. “These girls played so hard until the last out.”

Elliott struck out six in a complete-game effort for the victory. She also made some big-time plays in the field to bolster the Blue Jackets.

“She played a great game,” Jones said of Elliott. “She is a very aggressive young lady and every pitch she throws is with all of her heart. She works hard, she’s dedicated, she’s a great defensive player, too. She makes some great plays out there and plays with every bit of her heart.”

Bringing home the first Lower State title in roughly 25 years is no small feat for Aynor.

“It boosts the program a lot. We’re doing well and we have a program that the girls want to play for and want to be a part of,” Jones said. “They know they have to work hard and earn their positions; nothing is given to them. The hard work has paid off.”

The Blue Jackets will have to go on the road Monday for the first game of the three-game state final series with Andrew Jackson. However, game two will be in Aynor and if necessary, game three will be held at a neutral site.

“We know it’s going to be a lot like this; they’re probably going to be close [games],” Jones said. “There’s going to be some small ball played and we know we’re going to have to hit the ball and execute on defense and nothing is given. You have to work hard for everything that’s going to happen and let it all out there on the field.”

This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 9:54 PM with the headline "Aynor softball wins, advances to state finals."