Silliman enters playoffs on major roll

Southern Sports & Travel

One definition of the term "bull's eye" is defined as "The precise accomplishment of a goal or purpose."

For Silliman head softball coach Trae Weaver his squad has now acquired the proverbial term after this past weekend in which the Lady Wildcats captured the Carroll Tournament. Winning the tournament was an achievement of its' own and all girl's softball fans know how physically demanding a day long tournament can be.

The tournament trophy was of more significance than any other regular season  tourney accomplishment for the Lady Cats as they did the unexpected in halting Leake's 85 game winning streak with a 2-1 semi-final win in Carrollton on Saturday.

"We knew the Carroll Tournament would have the feel of a state tournament environment," said Weaver. "We wanted the opportunity to see some of the teams from the north and to see how we measured up."

If Weaver wanted a true measurement of how his squad would stack up against quality teams he got it as Silliman recorded shutouts over arguably the two best teams in Class A in perennial power Bayou and Tri-County and got a small sense of revenge in defeating the team that eliminated them in the Class AA Tournament last season, North Delta.

Silliman won the Carroll Tournament by edging host Carroll 6-5 but the crowning achievement was their 2-1 win over powerhouse Leake in the semi-finals.

"It was a big deal for us," said Weaver. "Our kids were excited but we had little time to celebrate because we had to prepare ourselves for one more game."

Weaver was concerned that his squad had burned up too much energy in the Leake victory but Silliman held on to defeat Carroll after a long day of travel and playing five games.

"Lots of people don't understand what girls endure during softball season, many dance during football games, run track and all the while trying to focus on their studies. We made a long drive and didn't get back home till nearly 3 a.m. Sunday morning."

Weaver, who is in his fifth season as head coach, knows that the win over Leake will assuredly draw the focus of the entire AA class but it could also be a watershed moment for a squad that consists of seven contributing seniors. "Now we feel like we have a bigger bull's eye on us but it could be a momentum builder at a critical time of the season. We use Leake as a measuring stick, we've looked up to them and that's the type of program we're striving for."

Silliman will wrap up the regular season by competing in the Jackson Prep Invitational this weekend and will enter next week's Class AA South State Tournament in Liberty, MS on a roll.

Silliman has won a state championship in girl's fast-pitch softball one time (2005) and two of their seven seniors will play huge roles in their post season quest this season.

Kayla Davidson has been exceptional on the mound in producing a 22-2 season mark. Her season numbers following the Carroll Tournament were staggering as the senior had a 1.01 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 97 innings of work. What's more impressive is the fact that these numbers have been produced while competing against many top tier squads. "Kayla is a complete player," said head coach Trae Weaver. "  "Probably the best I've ever seen in my time coaching, she's very special."

Davidson also provides power at the plate with a .372 batting average and an on-base percentage of .535 and three homers. She also is a tough out as the senior has only struck out four times all season.

When it comes to hitting another senior leads the Lady Wildcats.

Taylor Leblanc is pacing Silliman with a .458 average and on-base percentage of .587 and 33 runs scored. The senior is arguably one of the best base-runners in the MAIS with 29 stolen bases and amazingly has only been thrown out two times in three years.

As the regular season draws to a close the 31-2 Lady Wildcats will enter postseason play with the momentum necessary to make a serious run at a state championship and it helps that the squad is comprised of senior leadership and coming off a momentous weekend of success.

"Hopefully it will help us get to where we want to go," said Weaver. "Most of our seniors have been playing since the seventh grade."

Since Silliman's weekend tournament win the Lady Wildcats have shut out Oak Forest and Bowling Green.