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“This is not the end, but this is just the beginning of this team.”

That’s what Northview softball coach Amy Holland said tonight following the Lady Chiefs’ 7-2 loss to Holmes County, Fla. in the FHSAA Class 1A regional final in Bratt.

Holland, who just completed her 12th season as head coach at NHS, gave credit to HCHS, adding that they are a good little team.

“They’re stacked with seniors this year, and they’re going to have to start over next year,” Holland said. “The good thing about us is that we’re stacked with ninth and tenth graders that will be back next year. We’ll be tougher, and stronger next year.”

The Lady Blue Devils surged ahead early in the game, and broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth, but added three runs in the sixth to pull away.

Holland said the girls had a few errors, and thought nerves were a factor in the contest.

“The outfielders played a good game, and the infield played good at times, but you’ve got to execute a little bit,” she said. “Our record was awesome. We had a great season.”

When asked if this season is a good learning lesson, Holland said it’s a big one, adding that she had four starting ninth graders.

“This is basically 18U, and they haven’t played 18U,” the coach said. “I had a freshman (Mikayla McAnnally) pitcher coming in tonight. She usually does a good job, and she was having a problem with her hand sweating.”

Holland said McAnnally told her that she couldn’t throw well, and encouraged the coach to put starting pitcher Jamison Gilman back into the game.

“Kudos to her,” Holland said. “That’s a very big learning lesson for us, and I think we’ll learn a lot from it.”

Mary Clayton Dawson went 2-for-3 with an RBI; and Chloe Ragsdale went 1-for-2 with an RBI to lead the Lady Chiefs.

Gilman allowed four earned runs on 13 hits in 6.2 innings in the loss.

Haley Williams and Tiffany Barnes had three hits each to lead the Lady Blue Devils.

The Lady Chiefs ended their season 22-5.