Cornerstone remains unbeaten
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Perfection continues in a small softball field beside Bethel Baptist Church in Columbiana, as the Cornerstone Christian Chargers carry a 15-0 record into this week’s spring break.
The Chargers remain on track to reach the goals they laid out at the beginning of the season according to starting pitcher Chelsey Dunnaway. They plan to win all of their games and make it to state. However, as much as Dunnaway may look to bring home an Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) state championship and perfect season as a freshman, she will not talk of such.
“Our coaches tell us not to get all big headed and cocky, but just to take it one game at a time and work through it,” Dunnaway said.
She helped continue the win-streak Saturday at a regional tournament in Demopolis, where she allowed three hits, two unearned runs, two walks and had 33 strikeouts on her way to three victories. It all started with an eight-strikeout performance in a 15-0 win over Coosa Valley, where Dunnaway allowed no hits, walks or base runners. The perfect game was her first of the season and her eighth no-hitter, according to assistant coach Joe Miller.
The Chargers went on to pick up 8-1 victories over Shelby Academy and South Choctaw.
While Dunnaway&8217;s 15-0 record, 163 strikeouts and one unearned run, out of four allowed by the Chargers on the year, are all major factors for the team&8217;s success, she is quick to point to the offense as the secret.
&8220;We have some really good hitters,&8221; Dunnaway said. &8220;It helps a whole lot to know even if the other team scores, I know we can come back and score. It gives me something to work with and takes the pressure off.&8221;
The Chargers are currently lead by sisters Haley and Hope Anderson, who are hitting .714 and .660 respectively and combined for 38 RBI entering Saturday&8217;s games. Haley added two RBIs against South Choctaw on an inside the park home run, while Hope had one against Shelby.
Brittney Calma (.717) and Chasity Payne (.636) are also helping to lead the way, while Dunnaway adds a .548 batting average to the mix.
&8220;It is very tough to get through our 1-6 hitters in our lineup for anybody out there,&8221; head coach Mark Armstrong said.
Armstrong said the addition of Dunnaway to this year&8217;s team from Shelby County High and Payne have helped fill the holes left by Keyla Finley and Mary Beth Willis, who helped lead the Chargers to a third place finish at state last year.
CCS enjoys the week off to nurse nagging illnesses, over spring break, before hosting Coosa Valley on Tuesday.