The 2001 Dixie Belles Lookouts are: Front row (left to right) – Brittany Wambles, Ashton Spann, Brittany Carlisle, Anna Fannin, and Mary Kathryn Green. Back row (left to right) – Coach Bo Carlisle, Eden Stamey, Chelsey Howard, Megan Johnson, Jamie Sessions, Heather West, April Headley and Asst. Coach Wilmer Dismukes.

‘Playing together, staying together’

Dixie Belles Lookouts fourth TPRD team to join the ranks of the unbeaten

By KEVIN PEARCEY

Sports Editor

The Dixie Belles Lookouts recently became the fourth Troy Parks and Recreation League team to complete an undefeated season. The Lookouts joined the Dixie Angels Lugnuts, the Dixie Ponytails Chicks and the Farm League Indians as Troy’s city league unbeatens.

The Lookouts had a simple motto this season: "A team that plays together

wins together" and they proved it on the field winning 12 straight games without a loss, which included a 13-1 opening season practice game against the Renegades.

"These girls are to be commended on their hard work and their ability to work together as a team," said Lookouts head coach Bo Carlisle. "They were a joy to coach."

Heather West and Brittany Carlisle split time on the mound this season for the Lookouts. West compiled a 5-0 record pitching for the team, while Carlisle won six games.

But in the first "official" game of the year against the Renegades, it took the efforts of both Carlisle and West to win a close 12-9 decision. West faced 13 batters in the first four innings and struck out four of them, before giving way to Carlisle in the seventh who held the Renegades without a hit, earning herself a save.

For the better part of the year after that the Lookouts dominated the competition. But there were still a few close calls.

The Volcanoes, stinging from an earlier 15-0 loss to the Lookouts, jumped out to a 1-0 lead in their next meeting. Carlisle, (who struck out 11 for the game, giving up two hits), and the defense held the Volcanoes scoreless after that. The Lookouts then found their offense as Carlisle and Jamie Sessions each scored once and Chelsea Howard touched home plate twice for a 4-1 win.

West took the Lookouts next win over the Volcanoes, which was another close game. The Lookouts won 6-3 and were led offensively by Ashton Spann and Anna Fannin, who each scored twice, and Mary Kathryn Green and Eden Stamey’s one run apiece.

Assistant coach Wilmer Dismukes agreed with Carlisle that it was the Lookouts willingness to work as a team which led to an unbeaten season.

"We played as a team and every girl had a part in winning these 12 games," said Dismukes. "All of these girls hit the ball well, caught the ball well and threw the ball well. We had a great offense and a great defense."

Members of the 2001 Dixie Belles Lookouts, and the positions they played,

were: Ashton Spann (2B), Anna Fannin (SS), Chelsey Howard (C,1B), Jamie Sessions (3B), Megan Johnson (C,CF), Heather West (P,1B), Eden Stamey (LF), Mary Kathryn Green (RF), Brittany Wamble (LF), April Headley (CF,LF) and Brittany Carlisle (P,CF).