By By Rob Sigler/The Meridian Star
July 30, 2001
Todd Doolittle drove in two runs with a pair of hits and also pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts in leading Meridian to a 4-0 shutout over Virginia in their first game of the Dixie Youth Majors World Series Sunday in North Charleston, S.C.
Meridian took the second game Sunday evening 7-3 over Tennessee and will play at 1 p.m. today against Florida.
Mann Dubose belted a home run and drove in two runs in the opening game, while Josh Snider singled and score a run.
Doolittle, meanwhile, allowed just three hits in pitching seven innings, walking just two batters.
In the second game, Jason Spinks came on in relief of starter Matt Creighton, allowing just one hit in the final 4 1/3 innings for the win.
Dubose had a pair of singles, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Meridian offense, while Brad McKey also had a couple of hits, two runs and an RBI. Chase Spence doubled and scored a run, while Creighton drove in a couple of runs with a single. Josh Snider, Phillip Garrett and Jonathan Stevens each singled and scored a run.
Meanwhile, the Meridian U-12's dropped a pair of games this weekend in the Cal Ripken Southwest Regional in Van Buren, Ark.
Saturday, Meridian ran into a Louisiana team that was making a return trip to the regional from a year ago and a standout player that blasted three homers in an 11-1 loss.
Meridian was eliminated from the tourney Sunday when host Van Buren won a pitchers duel 3-2. Sam Dulaney and Justin Palmer both pitched three good innings with three strikeouts apiece.
Meridian, the Cal Ripken Mississippi champions, finished fifth among eight teams in the regional tourney.
Rob Sigler is sports editor at the Meridian Star. E-mail him at rsigler@themeridianstar.com or call 693-1551 ext. 3235.