[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PATRIOTS' RESILIENCE LEADS TO TITLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2004

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, as major league baseball is in full swing, I 
would like to take a moment to congratulate a high school in the Sixth 
District of North Carolina that won a state girls' softball 
championship. It was not an easy road for the Southern Alamance girls' 
softball team, but in the end, it was certainly a rewarding one. After 
losing the first game of the championship round in 10 innings, the 
Patriots found themselves facing a winner take all game at the Walnut 
Creek Softball Complex. ``I don't expect anything easy with them (his 
team),'' Head Coach Mike Johnson told the Burlington Times-News. In 
continuing this trend of close games and tension filled finishes, 
Southern Alamance defeated Enka High School 8-6 in yet another 10 
inning battle. Despite the Patriots' history of drama, this title 
should come as no surprise after a combined record of 30-2 for the 
year.
  One of the key performers during the two day tournament run was 
senior pitcher Brooke Isley who handled 39 innings and struck out 59 
batters. It was Isley who closed out the final game by retiring three 
straight hitters. This capped off a come from behind victory that was 
initially sparked by Amanda Johnson's base hit and ensuing RBI from 
Marybeth Ingle. ``We couldn't make anything easy,'' Isley explained to 
a local reporter. Perhaps the biggest scare for the Patriots came in 
the 9th inning when an Enka base runner was thrown out at the plate 
keeping Southern Alamance's hopes alive. Finally in the 10th inning, 
with runners in scoring position, Marybeth Ingle came up with, what 
would be, the deciding hit to secure the title.
  This was a special win for the Patriots who were led by a number of 
senior players. Carla Roger, Whitney Lambe, Amanda Hodge, Brooke Isley, 
Marybeth Ingle, Maegan Evans, and Stacey Vaughn all finished there high 
school careers on top. These girls had the help of a strong supporting 
cast comprised of Tori Thompson, Kim Pardue, Brittany McPherson, 
Brittany Thompson, Magan Campbell, Amanda Johnston, Bethany Hawks, 
Brandi Haithcock, Ariel Bullock, Amanda Cline, Lesli Scott, Daveda Fox, 
Tiffany Helton, Erika Winebarger, Kristen Burgess, Olivia McPherson, 
Kristen Roach, April Carver, and Janna Holt.
  After such a remarkable season much credit goes to the Southern 
Alamance coaching staff who guided the Patriots to the championship. 
Congratulations to Head Coach Mike Johnson and assistant coaches Chris 
Miller, Cully Lambeth, Mike Thompson and John Miller. Further 
recognition should be awarded to Principal Kent Byrd and Athletic 
Director David Vaughn after this memorable season. On behalf of the 
citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we congratulate the 
Patriots of Southern Alamance for winning the state 3-A girls' softball 
championship.

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