The Dalton softball team won it’s second consecutive Division IV state championship Saturday by defeating North Lewisburg Traid 3-1.
It was the second season in the row the Bulldogs (27-4) beat the Cardinals (23-8) in the title game at Brookside Park in Ashland.
Varsity Letters Player of the Game: Dalton senior Jessi Carmichael.
Carmichael led Dalton to a win by pitching a one-hitter and struck out 15 batters, which tied a Division IV record in a state tournament game. The lone run Triad scored was unearned and Carmichael delivered a two-run double to break a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning.
“This was her last game as a senior for Dalton, and she was going out there and she was pitching her whole heart out,” Dalton coach Jessica Miller said.
This marked the second season in a row that Carmichael has pitched the Bulldogs to victory in a state title game.
“Going into this game, I knew they had improved,” Carmichael said. “I knew this game would be tough. For me to come out and perform the way I did, I am pretty proud.”
