CHARLOTTE — Prior to attending the Powerade State Games softball tournament, Payton Chappell was hoping for a memorable experience. And that’s exactly what the Richmond Senior High School player got earlier this week.
A rising junior, Chappell traveled to Charlotte on Tuesday and Wednesday to compete in the PSG as a member of the Region 4 team. The only Lady Raider to play in this year’s games, the two-day tournament saw Chappell play two pool games before entering a single-elimination playoff bracket.
The Region 4 team would go 2-0 to open pool play, beating Region 5 and Region 2, respectively. Unfortunately, Chappell’s team would drop its final two games in the playoffs. Coached by Ardrey Kell High School head softball coach Jeff Sprenger, Region 4 lost to Region 6 in the bronze medal game.
“It was a really exciting experience,” Chappell shared of her time at the PSG. “I got to see some really good pitchers, two of whom competed in the state championship this year. There was a lot of competition all around from the different regions.
“My favorite part of the PSG was our coaches and my teammates,” she added. “I got to make friends with all the girls on my team and my coaches were very laid back. That made the experience better because there wasn’t a lot of pressure.”
In Region 4’s first game against Region 5 on Tuesday, Chappell started at second base. Her team would pick up a 10-0 win, as she went 1-for-2 at the plate with a single between the shortstop and third baseman.
To finish pool play the same afternoon, Stenger and company defeated Region 2 by a score of 3-1. Chappell moved back to her familiar spot on defense, playing third base, and collected another single. This one went down the third base line, and Chappell also added a stolen base in the win.
Wednesday started the single-elimination tournament, and Region 4’s undefeated pool play record earned it a bye in the opening round. However, it would fall 3-0 against Region 1 in the semifinal round.
To cap the four-game tournament, Region 4 had a chance to redeem itself in the bronze medal matchup. Chappell would have her best performance at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles, but her team would fall to Region 6 by a final score of 8-3.
While winning is always an added bonus, Chappell noted her time spent at the Powerade State Games was all about trying to become a better player. In the coming school year, Chappell will be expected to carry a lot of the Lady Raiders’ weight with the departure of three seniors this spring.
“The games made me better as an overall player because I got to face such good competition,” Chappell closed. “This was a great tournament for me because now I know what I need to work on for the future. I had a great time and it was definitely a memorable experience.”
