Sequoyah season ends with loss at Soddy-Daisy

Soddy-Daisy exploded for a five-run bottom of the second on Monday to storm past Sequoyah in the Region 3-3A semifinals.

The Lady Trojans (21-10-1) scored 11 runs on 10 hits while holding Sequoyah to three in the Lady Chiefs’ finale of the season.

The defeat eliminates Sequoyah from the postseason — the second season in a row where the Lady Chiefs were bested by Soddy-Daisy in the region tournament — while Soddy-Daisy moves one game within a third consecutive trip to the state tournament and 19th all-time.

Sequoyah has advanced to the region tournament for the fourth time in five previous attempts.

“We talked about having the program to being where we are consistent and wanting to continue doing that, put in the work to have these opportunities and how to take the next step. We have been in this area, but we want to take the next step,” Sequoyah coach Allen Roberts said. “Seeing what a quality program Soddy-Daisy is and what they bring to the field… We are seeing what it takes to get to these games and what it takes to take the next step.

“We are proud of them and it is not easy to always get there. We are proud of them, but we do want to step forward.”

After picking up two unearned runs in the opening frame, Soddy-Daisy loaded the bases off a hit batter and a pair of walks. Only their third hit of the day, a single in the infield scored the third run.

After a fielder’s choice caught a runner advancing home, the hosts scored four runs off consecutive singles. Sequoyah’s deficit grew by five runs on three swings.

“We kind of came out and gave up some more and we really did not make them earn it. We had some walks and we had a play or two that we kind of had a bust on what we were supposed to be doing,” Roberts said. “And Soddy-Daisy is a good team, so they kind of took advantage of that. And they came up with a couple of hits that made us pay the price.

“When you are against teams like that you have to be really good all the time. Once you give them that, it is a real tough task to come back on them.”

The Lady Trojans added runs in the fourth and fifth innings from walks.

“We played hard, we just made a couple of mistakes and a few walks in there that hurt us a little bit,” Roberts said.

On the mound, Regan Rowan threw hard for the eight-time state champion Soddy-Daisy, striking out two, walking none and allowing three hits.

“They are a state-caliber team and they will have a good shot of making it again this year,” Roberts said. “She is really good — a seasoned senior pitcher. She had good velocity and she knows how to move the ball around and change speeds.

“We had an opportunity too here and there, but we just could not come through with the clutch hit. And that has been kind of the theme with us this postseason.”

Shae Ahlstrom singled in the first inning but could not advance. Tynleigh Ray was walked to start the second, but a pair of strikeouts slowed down momentum.

Sequoyah did not find another baserunner until Megan Ladd’s leadoff single in the fifth inning. Hannah Kirkland advanced courtesy runner BriAysa Bowman to second, but the Lady Chiefs could not start a rally.

Sequoyah rostered five seniors: Lily Frasure, Lilly Griffitts, Alicia Kimble, Kirkland and Ray.

“I am really going to miss them, they mean a lot to our program. Some of these girls I have had for seven years — since sixth grade,” Roberts said. “They have been a good group of leaders and hard workers. Defensively, we are losing some real good ballplayers.

“Offensively, Alicia brings so much to the table there. Some big shoes on offense and defense we are going to have to feel.”