The Pickens High School Dragonettes softball team hosted region rival, the Gilmer High School Lady Bobcats. The game took a back seat to life, as the Dragonettes honored all those affected by Cancer to take part in a brief “Strike Cancer” pre-game ceremony. Afterward the Dragonettes defeated the Lady Bobcats 5-4 with Olivia LeMieux providing the game winner on a two run standing doubleBefore the game began the “Nettes” invited the Lady “Cats,” who wore pink in solidarity with the home team, as well as fans in attendance down to the field to take part in the pre-game ceremony. Many in attendance wore one of the 300 plus pink T-shirts sold by the “Nettes” as a fund raiser.

After a brief prayer by assistant coach, Rickey Jarrett, the “Nettes” provided a check of $1200, raised from the proceeds of the T-shirts, to Jade Anderson who was diagnosed with bone cancer in April 2012. Anderson has been in remission since March 14, 2013. Anderson then threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the game.

Neither team was able to score in the first inning. Paula Pickett picked up Pickens first run, after reaching first, and eventually home, due to Gilmer errors. Brooke Wilson’s RBI single, that scored LeMieux, put Pickens up 2-0 going into the third inning.

The Lady “Cats” clawed out four runs in the top of the third to take a 4-2 run into the bottom of the inning. The Dragonettes remained hot, the “Nettes” nixed the “Lady Cats’” clutching of the lead with three runs scored in the bottom of the third.

LeMieux’s aforementioned game winner put Pickens up 5-4, and secured the win for the “Nettes” as neither team was able to put any runs on the scoreboard after the third inning.

2013 PHS Strike Out Cancer Ceremony from Fetch on Vimeo.