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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Zoey Harrell up on the mound for the Lady Blues in their matchup Tuesday, April 15 against the Lady Lions. Harrell dominated in the early innings of this contest for the Lady Blues. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Tiffany Cotter takes a swing at a pitch for the Lady Blues in their matchup Tuesday, April 15 against the Lady Lions. Cotter has served as the Lady Blues starting shortstop this season. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Zoey Harrell honored at senior night with her parents Tuesday, April 15. Harrell has been with the program for four years and has evolved into a veteran leader for the team. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Katie Parker was honored with her parents alongside Harrell as an honorary team member Tuesday, April 15 for senior night. Parker is a senior at Graham High School and head coach Adam Arrington thought this would be an unforgettable experience. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Katie Parker reaches home plate and is swarmed by her Lady Blues teammates during a special tribute to Parker in the team’s matchup Tuesday, April 15. Parker was given honorary recognition from the team for their senior night.
The Graham Lady Blues had another rough outing in the penultimate game of their season. They lost to the Brownwood Lady Lions 14-5.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for the team and the Graham crowd to tip their hats on.
The game opened with a special annual ceremony to honor the seniors on the team for senior night.
For the Lady Blues, that is a short list of one. Zoey Harrell was joined by her parents and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
“Zoey’s been here for four years and she has one of the greatest bats in our lineup (and) has for the last four years,” Head coach Adam Arrington said.
However, there was also a special recognition for another senior from Graham High School. Senior Katie Parker was also honored at senior night beside her parents.
“Katie, she loves the game of softball and she’s played on my wife’s youth league team for the last five years,” Arrington said. “We thought, she’s graduating this year, so what better way to recognize her as well. I think it was a great thing for her to experience.”
Harrell looked locked in during the early goings of this game. After giving up a two run homer to left field for Brownwood in the top of the first, Harrell settled back in and took over.
She struck out the next three batters and also drove in Jansyn Louder who hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the first. The first inning also contained a magical community moment.
A pinch runner was called in to run the base paths for the Lady Blues. That pinch runner was none other than Parker. Under the guidance of Arrington, Parker rounded the base paths and raced to home plate to the cheers of hometown fans and Lady Blues teammates.
When Parker crossed home plate she was swarmed by the Lady Blues dugout in a warm embrace.
The special moment Arrington spoke of had been accomplished for the senior.
Harrell continued to look strong in the top of the second retiring the side in order off a flyout and two strikeouts. Unfortunately for the Lady Blues, things really didn’t go their way for the rest of the game.
The team ran into several troublesome innings where they were able to get to two outs defensively but couldn’t seal things.
As a result, Brownwood cashed in on multiple scoring opportunities with runners aboard which eventually led to the 14-5 victory.
The Lady Blues traveled to Mineral Wells Thursday, April 17 to try and pick themselves up one more time this season.
