Success of softball stars stems from commitment of coaches ...

That isn't the case anymore. A good deal of the reason why Aiken isn't any team's doormat can be traced to a group of coaches. Dave Petersen, Chris McCarthy and Mike Hutto are three of them who wanted to help turn Aiken youth softball around.

"About 5 or 6 years ago, I got together with other coaches and was intent on making Aiken competitive," said Petersen, who's one of the coaches for the 10-and-under Aiken team playing in the tournament this weekend. "We wanted to get Aiken competitive with North Augusta and other surrounding teams."

Their plan was to school the players on the fundamentals of the game and, most importantly, do it year round.

"We're intent on keeping the girls from putting their gloves down," McCarthy said. "We're seeing results."

The group led by Petersen started holding clinics and fielded teams during traditionally slow times of the year to keep the girls' softball skills honed.

"He's been significant in the rebirth of Aiken softball," Rick Meyer, the District 12 director for South Carolina ASA, said of Petersen. "The Aiken program has made great strides."

The improvement is clear. Petersen said two years ago, the 8-and-under team he was coaching became the first Aiken squad to win a district championship. It soon had company, when a 12-and-under team won its district.

The 8-year-olds advanced to the state tournament, where they finished in third place. The 10U team kept on winning until it captured the state title. Since then, Aiken teams have had continued success. This year, the 12U, 14U and 18U Aiken teams each won district championships.

"It shows Aiken's improving a little bit," said Seth Holley, athletic coordinator for Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism. "It's headed in the right direction."

Petersen said the 10U team from four years ago is a prime example of the growth of Aiken softball. He said that 12 of the 14 players from that team were either on the varsity squad at South Aiken or Aiken High School this past season.

"We started from a program that never competed," Petersen said. "Now, we have built a foundation, developed travel teams and been very successful. ... The big thing's not winning. It's nice to see the girls be successful beyond the rec league."

McCarthy agreed that it's about more than winning. He said, "we're building confidence and self esteem. We want to instill drive and let them bring out the best in themselves. ... It's very satisfying."

Both Petersen and McCarthy agreed that having a facility like Citizens Park in their backyard has helped tremendously. It attracts some of the best teams from across the state and beyond, which helps to inspire the hometown squads to improve to compete on that level.

"It's one of the nicest (parks) in the state," McCarthy, an Aiken native, said of Citizens Park. "I used to bat balls in the road. This is a really plush complex."

Unfortunately for the 10-and-under Aiken girls, they faced some of those top South Carolina teams on Saturday. After starting the day with a come-from-behind 12-11 win over the Mineral Springs Patriots, Aiken lost 12-4 to Dentsville, sending it to the loser's bracket.

With its tournament fate hanging in the balance, Aiken jumped out to a six-run lead before York County had the chance to hit in the elimination game. Aiken didn't slow down, scoring a 17-6 victory and setting up another elimination game, this time against North Augusta.

With little time from the end of one game to the start of the next, Aiken stayed hot and was quick to take a 3-0 lead. The North Augusta squad wasn't fazed and, behind a big rally, pulled away for a 14-4 victory.

North Augusta will play Dentsville this morning at 9, with the winner advancing to the final, where Cayce is waiting. Aiken's rec season is over, but most of the girls will be busy playing over the summer for a travel team. Petersen said his travel team has become so popular, he has to turn some players away.

"It's still growing," Petersen said. "Aiken softball is on the rise."

Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.

SATURDAY'S SCORES

8U Machine-Pitch Baseball

Aiken Red 13, North Augusta Black 9

North Augusta White 20, Aiken Blue 1

North Augusta White 15, North Augusta Black 9

8U Softball

Aiken 16, Belvedere 14

North Augusta 18, Dentsville 15

North Augusta 14, Dentsville 1

Dentsville 13, Belvedere 6

Dentsville 17, Aiken 2

10U Softball

Aiken 12, Mineral Springs Patriots 11

North Augusta 18, Mineral Springs Pony Express 3

Cayce 18, York County 7

Dentsville 12, Aiken 4

Cayce 12, North Augusta 0

York County 15, Mineral Springs Pony Express 3

North Augusta 9, Mineral Springs Patriots 8

Aiken 17, York County 6

North Augusta 14, Aiken 4

Cayce 13, Dentsville 1

12U Softball

Kershaw County 5, Belvedere 1

Chapin 14, Jackson 4

North Augusta 20, Dentsville 5

York County 7, Aiken 4

Kershaw County 11, Chapin 2

North Augusta 7, York County 4

Kershaw County 11, North Augusta 1

Belvedere 19, Jackson 10

Dentsville 8, Aiken 7

York County 16, Belvedere 5

Chapin 14, Dentsville 11

York County 11, Chapin 2

18U Softball

North Augusta 9, Belvedere Blue 8

Belvedere White 19, Jackson 4

Aiken 20, North Augusta 0

Aiken 4, Belvedere White 3

Belvedere Blue 13, Jackson 12

Belvedere Blue 17, North Augusta 1

Belvedere White 14, Belvedere Blue 6

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Source: http://www.aikenstandard.com/LocalSports/0612SoftballTournament

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