The Bradwell Lady Tigers honored their three senior players Saturday afternoon before the start of a double-header at home against region opponent Groves High School.
The Tigers were in the process of launching a rally in the bottom of the second inning after trailing 4-1 in the top of the second.
Senior catcher Brandi Huerd, shortstop Patrice Antalan and outfielder Jasmine Cuevas were given roses and balloons during a brief ceremony before the start of the games in Hinesville. Cuevas and Antalan are in the Tigers’ ROTC program. Antalan is a major in the program and is involved in student council and has already taken two college courses to get a head start. She plans to study psychology and is looking to attend Georgia Southern or Georgia State College.Cuevas plans to attend Armstrong Atlantic State University to earn a degree in nursing and radiology, later specializing in neonatology.
Huerd has played softball since she was 12 and has been a Lady Tiger for five years. She is president of the Expedition Club. She’s a member of the National Honor Society, a YMCA Teen Achiever and is currently employed at the Y caring for babies. She plans to play softball for Valdosta State and will graduate from Bradwell with honors. She said she wants to become a teacher. Huerd said she hopes to teach at Bradwell someday and will miss her teammates.
With the ceremony behind them, the girls hit the diamond. Groves scored first on a walk-off from Lady Tiger pitcher Karson Rogers. Later, Rogers tagged a runner out at home to close the top of the first. The Tigers evened the score when senior runner Antalan crossed the plate after a few good base steals.
In the top of the second, the Lady Rebels added three more runs off a double by a Lady Rebel and a single from another Rebel batter.
The Lady Tigers rallied in the bottom of the second with a hit from Rogers and a run by courtesy runner Candace Blair. Kayla Rocker got on base and Barabara Rego slugged in a double. Cuevas was walked to first and Anatalan nailed a hit, as did Huerd, closing the bottom of the second with the Lady Tigers up 7-4.
The double-header was still going at press time. The Courier will bring you the final results as they become available.