Warlassies remain undefeated in conference on Senior Night
Owen pushes streak to six games with 5-0 win over Patriots
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
April 30, 2025
There were tears and hugs on the softball field at Owen High School, April 29, when a trio of players was recognized before the final regular season home game of their careers.
Those gestures were replaced by smiles and high-fives, as the Warlassies remained undefeated in Western Highlands Conference play, with a 5-0 victory over Madison.
Owen honored seniors Sophie Neal, Savannah Hollingsworth and Bryanna Stafford, who were each escorted by family members to the third base line before the game. The emotional Senior Night celebration included the presentation of gifts from teammates.
“I told myself I wasn’t going cry,” said Stafford, who has played 68 games in her four-year career with the team. “But, when I saw tears in some of my teammates’ eyes, it really hit me that this was the last one.”
All of the Owen seniors were on the field for the first pitch, as Neal stepped in the circle. The Warlassies, who improved to 13-3, overall, with the win, came into the night with a 9-0 mark against conference opponents. Second-place Madison brought a 9-1 WHC record to town.
“(Bryanna) was behind the plate and we were calling pitches,” Neal said, following her complete game shutout. “We were really connected tonight, so we were able to work all around the plate and keep them off-balance.”
Neal’s pre-game emotions settled quickly, as she struck out 9 batters and allowed only 2 hits in 7 innings. The pitcher then kick-started the offense when leading off the bottom half of the first inning, squaring up for a bunt and beating the throw to first base.
Neal stole second and third before scoring the first run of the contest on a two-run double by sophomore Hannah Norton.
“It felt good,” Neal said of her performance on Senior Night. “But, we all know we still have work to do.”
Owen increased its lead in the bottom of the third inning, when sophomore Mia Roland belted her team-leading sixth home run of the season. The home team added another run in the fifth.
Hollingsworth credited the aggressive approach at the plate as a key to the victory.
“We were smart in the batters box, and I feel like when you know what you’re doing in there, it gives you an advantage,” she said. “Also, having Sophie and Bryanna working together and having a pitcher who is so consistent is a huge benefit.”
Owen has won six straight games by a combined total of 71-10 since April 4. The reigning WHC champions are focused on a strong finish to the regular season, according to head coach Pete Ledford.
“We’re chasing perfection, and that’s what I told them in the huddle after the game,” he said. “It’s been 14 years since we had an undefeated conference season, and that’s our goal now. We want 12-0.”
While Senior Night celebrated the contributions of the team’s most tenured veterans, their contributions will remain vital when Owen closes out its regular season on the road. The Warlassies will head to Madison at 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, before wrapping up the campaign at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 2, in Mitchell County.
“The focus and leadership they bring can’t be overlooked,” Ledford said of the seniors. “I have some leaders in the younger group, but all the players look up to these three seniors. I’ve had all of them all four years, and I’m really proud of them.”
Picking up a victory in front of the home crowd was a “bittersweet” moment for Hollingsworth.
“It’s our last regular season home game, but I didn’t want to let my emotions get the best of me, because we still have a lot more games to come,” she said. “Personally, I believe we’ll be back here hosting some playoff games.”
Photos of the Warlassies’ 5-0 victory over Madison can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.