Lyn Gets A Visit From The Scouts Chuck and Mary at McDonalds in 2009 Chuck at the Matthews Museum Cub Scouts Visit the Station Chuck, Matt, B.J. Warwick, and Miss Mary at a Dinner at the Starke Golf and Country Club Chuck, Lyn, Miss Mary, and Maryann at the Fair in 2010 Chuck and Miss Mary's Wedding Day, Dec. 17, 1984 Chuck and His Children, Matt, Michelle, Danielle, and Lyn Chuck's First Station

Queens of Clutch

April 26, 2013
Terry Vaughan

Back in the day, a guy named Jordan became a legend for making clutch plays in the playoffs when the game was on the line.

On Thursday night, Jordan did it again. Different sport, gender and generation-same clutch result.

The 25-2 Bradford High Girls Softball team had enjoyed a magical season, winning their district in dramatic fashion with a walk-off victory over rival Keystone Heights last week. A scrappy 9-12 South Sumter squad strolled into Tornado Alley Thursday for a Region 2 Quarterfinal game that most considered to be a tune-up matchup for BHS.

The Lady Raiders almost took all of the wind out of the Tornadoes. All night Bradford had difficulty coming up with a big hit against resilient Raiders Pitcher Morgan Mobley. A 7th inning run provided South Sumter with a 2-1 edge going into the decisive bottom of the frame.

Down to their final two outs, Freshman Annie Luke singled and Sophomores Taylor Cruce and Lainie Rodgers followed with huge base hits to load the bases.

That is when Sophomore Jordan Davis calmly strolled to the plate- with all of the Tornado Nation standing in the bleachers with hearts in their throats.

The Jordan Rules trumped the moment again, as the talented infielder laced a double down the left field line to send the Tornadoes to an exhilarating win as the home crowd went wild.

Just another clutch moment for a team that doesn't seem to be fazed by pressure. Late inning comebacks are great for drama but not so much for the blood pressure of their Coach-Daniel Davis.

"it is just their mentality that they get their backs against the wall and they focus a little more." a relieved Coach told the Gainesville Sun after the tense victory.

This is a team that seems to be having fun out there and perhaps all of the pressure is lost on a squad without a single Senior on the roster.

Now, an old adversary comes to town for a Semifinal showdown Tuesday night. The Keystone Heights Indians, led by their poised Pitcher Kelsey Waters, return to Starke. The Indians enjoyed a magical season of their own in 2012, knocking off the Tornadoes for the District Crown. With a win, Bradford can go where no Tornado team has gone before.

Another dramatic moment is building. And that seems to be the fuel that drives the Queens of Clutch.