All-Stars: More Than a Game

DRIPPING SPRINGS — The 23rd North versus South Austin Area All-Star Game was tied 8-8 when the South team scored 5 runs in the top of the eighth inning.

Photo by Wayland D. Clark
Wimberley’s All-Star first baseman Addison Kirbo, left, has a laugh with Boerne High School outfielder Taryn Madlock as they walk off the field. The two played a big part in a 6-run rally in the ninth inning, with Kirbo reaching on a single and Madlock driving in two runs with a double to help the South win 14-10 over the North.[/caption]

Dripping Springs’ Jordan Cox came in to pitch in the bottom of the frame and held the home run hitting North team scoreless, so the game remained tied. The South rallied for 6 runs in the top of the ninth, thanks to Wimberley’s Addison Kirbo reaching on a single and Boerne’s Taryn Madlock driving in two runs with a double. But the home team, North, who has won the past five consecutive years, wasn’t done yet.

Cox was in the circle and a host of Lady Tigers were on the field, including Kate Tressler catching, Linan Scott at second base, Taylor Anderson at shortstop and Erika Kanetzky in center field.

“It was fun to be in the dugout,” Cox said after the game about coming in to pitch the final two innings. “I knew I had their support. The girls on the South team were always cheering for each other.”

With two outs and a 3-2 count, the batter hit Cox’s next pitch over Kanetzky’s head to the centerfield wall for a stand up double for the North team. The next batter up connected on what looked to be a fastball for a two-run home run, cutting the South lead to 14-10. Cox retired the next batter she faced to preserve the 14-10 win, the first for the South since 2017.

“I had the two outs and just focused on getting the next out and finishing on a positive note,” Cox said. The 6A District 26 Pitcher of the Year will be hanging her cleats up and attending Texas A&M University studying biology. She finished the season in the circle with a 16-5 record, a 1.66 ERA and in 122.1 innings, struck out 155 batters. In the batter’s box, Cox finished with a .343 batting average, drove in a team leading 47 RBI and hit 8 home runs.

“It’ll be an adjustment for sure,” she said.

Like Cox, many of these student athletes will also be hanging the cleats up and the All-Star Game was their last softball game, but win or lose, it was a celebration. A celebration of what has been achieved through their own hard work and dedication and the love and support of their coaches, family and friends. With that continued love and support, each of these players also celebrated their future, whether it be on or off of the field.