Suwannee softball falls to Bradford on Senior Night

Published 12:08 pm Friday, April 21, 2017

LIVE OAK — A shorthanded Suwannee softball team made a late charge on Thursday, but fell 7-5 against Bradford on Senior Night.

Caileigh Croft went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and Antwane Mitchell added two hits, but a 6-0 deficit after three innings was too much to overcome for the Bulldogs, who were playing without injured starters Brandi Davis and Savannah Brown.

Suwannee scored three runs in the fifth inning and two in the sixth.  

SHS seniors Kasey Frazier, Savannah Blankenship, Kirstin Rogers and Sierra Daniel were honored before the game.

Frazier went 1 for 3, scored two runs, and pitched a complete game. Rogers and Daniel both reached base once while Blankenship drew two walks.  

Suwannee coach Jeff Smith has been around the game of softball for a long time, coaching at many different levels. He’s coached most of this year’s senior class since they began playing.  

“All these girls, it’s neat to see where they’ve come from since sixth grade until now,” Smith said. “Three of these four seniors are going to play college softball. Sierra has worked hard, never gave up. All these girls have worked hard and now they’re rewarded for it.”

The Bulldogs finished the regular season 14-11 and will start the district tournament on Tuesday. SHS faces Bolles on Tuesday at 6 p.m. with the winner earning a trip to the district championship on Thursday against Baker County. Both district tournament games will be played at Baker County High.

Smith said he hopes to have Davis and Brown back next week for the playoffs.   

Getting to know this year’s senior class

Kasey Frazier   

Positions: Third base, second base, pitcher

Will play softball at the University of West Florida

Quote: “Coach Jeff has always been an incredible coach. Not only a coach but also a mentor. 

I think it says a lot about this program that so many girls from past years and this year are going on to play college softball.”

Savannah Blankenship

Positions: Second base, shortstop

Will play softball at Webber International University

Quote: “I love my teammates and I love my coaches. We’re like a family. One of the best moments to me was making it to the third round of regionals my 10th grade year and beating Baker this year and last year.”

Kirstin Rogers

Position: First base

Will play softball at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 

Sierra Daniel

Position: Outfield 

First year on varsity after playing two years of JV

Quote: “I’ve known these girls for a long time. Every since I’ve gotten on varsity, we’ve become friends and family. I haven’t played that much, but it has been a great season.”