A light drizzle came down early Thursday night at the Westgate Softball Complex prior to an exhibition game between the Australian national team and the Wiregrass All-Stars, a group of former high school standouts now playing in college.
The rain didn’t stop fans from coming out in droves to watch the highly-publicized exhibition.
For the local players, the game was an once-in-a-lifetime experience against a national team. For the Australians, it was much needed competition as they prepare to compete in the World Games in Birmingham on July 9-13. The game was organized by Australian native Sharon O’Mara, a former pitching coach at Troy University and owner of All Zones Fastpitch Academy in Enterprise since 2014. O’Mara pitched the idea of showcasing the national team in the Wiregrass after being contacted by Australian coach Laing Harrow.
Wiregrass All-Star Liz Rodebaugh, a former Dale County star who plays at Tennessee-Chattanooga, called the support “awesome.” Harrow added, “I was worried about that weather coming in, but it was a massive turnout. The Wiregrass team made some plays and they were behind them. It was a great atmosphere.”
The lone three hits for the Wiregrass All-Stars came from Rodebaugh in the third and from Enterprise’s Hannah Mynard and Dothan’s Collier Peaden in the fifth. All were singles with Peaden’s hit coming off a bunt.