Maddy Kinkade kills Newnan’s comeback hopes in Game 3; Veterans sees a glimpse of their best selves

KATHLEEN — Veterans, as they have all season, gave a glimpse of the best version of themselves on Thursday.

The team that can hit consistently, place balls well and pull out the big hits when they need them. The defense that backs up Cadence Scott on her best stuff in the circle and makes the plays to kill the other team’s momentum.

That version of the Lady Warhawks helped them advance to the second round with a 15-7 final against Newnan in Game 3.

As far as what entices that version of the team to show up? Head coach Jeff Sans isn’t quite sure.

“I’m kind of guessing right now, to be honest with you, because the whole year’s been like that,” Sans said. “We’ve shown glimpses of being really good in stretches like that. And then sometimes we go flat and I think we just get a little tense sometimes. … I still think we’re [trying to find ourselves], which is weird being late [in the season], but they’re starting to understand it. If we put it together, we’ll cause some people some problems.”

The glimpse

They sure gave the Lady Cougars a headache, especially in the third inning.

Maddy Kinkade, who was 3-for-4 for five RBI on the day, led off with a double and Kendra Levi moved her to third with a single. By the time Mia Ward came to bat a couple of at-bats later, there were already two outs.

But the best version of the Lady ‘Hawks hits well with two outs. Sans, and anyone who’s watched, has seen it.

Ward, Emily Stokes and Ansley Murkerson each plated a run in the ensuing at-bats, with the latter bringing home two to take a 7-1 lead.

The crowd cheered loudly for Murkerson, who is gaining her sea legs as an occasional designated player.

“It’s fun to watch Ansley. She’s been a [designated player] here and there … had some success and some failures. She’s a little tense, but tonight she was just loose,” Sans said. “The bottom of the lineup, [we’re] starting to see them swing a little bit better.”

But the main attraction was yet to come.

Maddie Dubbert and Braylin Horton each singled before Kinkade came back up to turn the cycle. In an eerily similar moment to an at-bat in Game 1, she belted a hit to the outfield. Any doubt of whether or not it was a home run was erased by the “clunk” of the scoreboard.

That plated three runs and put Veterans ahead 11-1, the exact same score after she hit her grand slam in Game 1.

Consistently getting these big hits is not something Kinkade was known for initially, and she tries not to make it a focus now.

“I feel like, at first when I was a freshman, I wasn’t really known as a power hitter. I’ve gotten it over the years,” Kinkade said. “To know that I can contribute to my team by hitting a big power hit is a great thing, but I also gotta remind myself not to let the pressure get to me. … If there’s a job that needs to be done … I will try my best to get that job [done]. I just try to remind myself that a home run is supposed to be an accident … just stay true to what the team needs.”

“At the end of the day, whatever everybody produces plus me will get us to the win,” Kinkade continued. “I am very proud of myself for being able to be that type of hitter, but I’m also proud of the whole team … adding up to the end result of winning.”

Senior Kalleigh Stokes and Murkerson also poured in three RBI; Veterans doesn’t have to rely on their seniors alone, they’re starting to see a lot of contributors rise out of the ranks according to Sans.

“Maddy and Kalleigh and really the whole middle of our lineup, Levi’s really starting to swing it well, starting to get some repeatable swings and doing some good things. It’s exciting going into next week,” Sans said.

The Lady Cougars didn’t go quietly. Things were seemingly hopeless, down 13-3 in the fourth inning with two outs. One more out would have ended the game, and their season, but Evie Mathis stepped up to the plate as one of two players to bring in a run for her team.

She took ball one and sent the next one over the center field wall. The Newnan fans who made the trip in the middle of a Thursday rose to their feet as their hopes soared and life was injected into their dugout, down 13-7.

Those were quickly crushed after a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth, and Kinkade’s second home run of the day that won the game.

Finding consistency

As shown all throughout the series, Veterans is capable of playing quality softball. They are also equally capable of inconsistencies, mostly at the plate.

Kinkade thinks nerves have something to do with that, and as a senior it’s her job to help lead the team out of that mindset.

“Coming into a playoff [series] I feel like there is very high stakes. Everybody’s a little uptight and nervous,” Kinkade said. “Reminding everybody [of] our true ‘why’ of why we play softball … and to be reminded of all the good things that we have done together to this point [helps take the pressure off].”

With players like Murkerson and the myriad pinch runners Sans brought into the games this series, Kinkade is also tasked with encouragement and helping those players settle in to the environment.

“The way that I’m trying to help them be comfortable is just to remind them that it is just a yellow ball,” Kinkade said. “At the end of the day, softball is a thing that is a privilege to be able to do. Being able to come here and even if you mess up, you get another time to try again every time.”

At the end of the day all those are ingredients to a more consistent team, it’s just a matter of putting it together. One of the prime ways Kinkade thinks the team can reach their optimal version is simple — communication.

“Try to relay the approaches that we’re getting through every at-bat to learning from each other … trying to all be on the same page of, ‘Hey we’re trying to hit a ground ball or line drive here,’” Kinkade said. “It’s okay even if you don’t be successful in the approach, then the other teammate has to back us up.”

UP NEXT

Veterans will travel next week to Glynn Academy. The doubleheader is scheduled for Oct. 21, and an “if” game will be played on Oct. 22 if necessary.