By By Jeff Byrd
staff writer
Through pain and perseverance, Clarkdale's Ashley Satcher has not only earned her self a state championship ring but also a spot in the inaugural Mississippi Girls Fast-pitch All-Star Softball Game.
Satcher will join Clarkdale head coach Rick Roberson on the South All-Star team. The doubleheader event is set for Noon Saturday at Hinds Community College.
Back in May, Satcher and her Lady Bulldog teammates celebrated a State 1A-2A Championship in girls fast-pitch. The victory capped a marvelous comeback story for the senior first baseman.
Satcher spent the next seven months re-habbing her knee. She had to miss the fast-pitch season that spring. Still, she took strength from her older sister Tabitha.
The injury, though, did have its cost.
Satcher's five-year softball career will end with the final out of Saturday's all-star game. She will attend Meridian Community College and pursue a degree in elementary education.
It took Satcher until the summer of her junior year to get comfortable playing again. When last fall started, she was able to play slow-pitch for the Lady Bulldogs without a knee brace.
She helped lead a young club to the South State 2A title and a spot in the championship series in Jackson. There, they lost an emotional third game to Hatley.
Satcher, however, had to overcome another injury scare during the first month of the fast-pitch season.
Not that Satcher wanted to hear a doctor tell her she couldn't play. She was so close to her goal.
She got it as Clarkdale continued playing well. They breezed to the divisional crown and through three rounds of the playoffs. They lost the middle game of the state final but came back to win the championship series over Mooreville, 10-4 in the deciding game.
Since winning State, Satcher has taken it easy. She's played for her church team, but that's about it.
One comforting thought about playing Saturday is that she will know what to expect from Roberson.