Xtreme Whippets 99 captures national championship

The Xtreme Whippets 99 16U travel softball team from the Leesburg and Worth County area recently captured the National Championship at the USFA World Series in Panama City Beach, Fla.

The Whippets 10-1 in the tourney, scoring 60 runs while allowing just 19. After winning their first four games, the Whippets lost their first game. They then won five straight, including avenging their only loss with a 12-1 victory over Odessa (Texas) Sun Devils.

Whippets then won a thrilling 3-2 championship game with a last-inning walkoff double by Oakleigh Reeves to force the if game for the title. Despite trailing 4-0 to Ozark (Ala.) Line Drive, the Whippets battled back and took the lead for good on a two-run homer by Worth County’s Taylor Layfield.

Whippets hit five homers in the final game and also used strong defense, including a double play by Ally Clegg and Addison Renfroe in the top of the last inning to seal the championship.

Whippets were led in pitching by Worth County’s Caroline Newton, who finished 8-1 with a 1.09 ERA. Leading hitters were Lee County’s Sydney McLain (.478 avg., two homers and eight RBIs), Lee County’s Addison Renfroe (.473, one homer and eight RBIs), Lee County’s Caitlyn Lawton (.391), Worth County’s Caroline Newton (.379, one homer and six RBIs) and Lee County’s Ally Clegg (.341, three homers and 11 RBIs).

The roster consists of six Lee County players – Brianna Duren, Kiersten Back, Clegg, Caitlyn Lawton, Renfroe and Sydney McLain. Three players from Worth County — Taylor Layfield, Newton, Brinsley Graddy — Oakleigh Reeves from Wilcox County and Valerie Ortiz from Ware County.

The championship run included victories over teams from Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Ohio and Missouri, while becoming the first team to capture back to back titles at USFA World Series after winning the 14U title in 2014. The team was recognized in May by Premier Sports as the first team to reach 100 victories with their organization.

The Coaching staff consists of Gordon Back, Greg Clegg, Brian Duren, Chip McLain and Greg Richter.

The Xtreme Whippets organization has had 35 players sign college scholarships since 2007.