The Cedartown Middle School fast-pitch softball team started their season off on a strong note last week.

On Wednesday, Sept. 8 the Lady Bulldogs destroyed Rome 24-8 and the very next day, Cedartown downed Darlington 11-3.

“The key to our success on Wednesday was the leadership of most of our seventh and eighth grade players and the selective hitting of the entire team,” head coach Odell Abram said. “The girls were truly supportive of each other all game long. We play well when the parents, players and coaches focus on the team aspect of the game.”

Abram said on the field, the Lady Bulldogs had a solid approach to hitting.

“The players also did a great job of being patient and waiting on the right pitch to swing at and taking advantage of the good pitch by getting good contact. They had an eye for the ball.”

In the win over Darlington, Abram noted how hard Cedartown played.

“We hit the ball good, and we hustled even better,” Abram said. “The players did a great job of knowing where to be and what to do once they got there and that was true for both sides of the ball.”

Abram said Teyana Prior hit a few hard shots while batting.

“As a team we hit the ball with good drive all game long,” Abram said. “We were smart on the bases as well.”

Abram noted the pitching and catching of Heather Swafford and Kristen Overstreet.

“We (kept) the score down with good defense and great pitching and catching,” Abram said.

Cedartown returns to the diamond Saturday, hosting Rockmart in a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.

Next week, CMS will visit Darlington on Monday. Next Wednesday, CMS will host Rome. On Saturday, CMS goes to Rockmart.